Smoking Fast Facts

Global Smoking Rates

Men

Indonesia – 69% (highest rate of male smokers in the world)
Canada – 22%
Ethiopia – 7.3% (lowest rate of male smokers in the world)

Women

Chile – 36.8% (highest rate of female smokers in the world)
Canada – 18%
Morocco – 0.2% (lowest rate of female smokers in the world)
(Source: World Health Organization; Data ranges from 2001-2005)

I have tried several times to quit smoking, but I was never successful for more than a couple of months. This pattern changed with laser therapy. I’ve successfully reached my one-year anniversary as a non-smoker! Laser therapy took the edge off, while the follow-up appointments and continuous support helped me stay focussed on my goal and keep me positive. I would recommend this program to anyone who is serious about quitting smoking.

- Linda D.
Non-smoker since Dec. 2006
Stop Smoking Detox Program

British Columbia

BC – 14.4%, province with the fewest smokers (Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey, 2007)
Richmond – 13% (lowest smoking rate in Canada)
Vancouver – 18%
Northeast BC – 31% (highest smoking rate in BC)
(Source: CCHS 2005, Statistics Canada)

Quit Smoking, Travel More

After six months of being a non-smoker, a person who smoked one pack of cigarettes per day ($9.50) could enjoy a 1-week Mexican vacation at an all-inclusive 4-star resort, flights included.
One year smoke-free could pay for a trip for two people on a 7-day Alaskan cruise, leaving from Vancouver, BC.

Wrinkles Linked to Serious Condition

UK Researchers discovered that middle-aged smokers are five times more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a combination of bronchitis and emphysema) if they are heavily wrinkled. Two out of 10 smokers will develop COPD, which causes a shortness of breath during even the slightest exertion.
(Source: Patel, BD. Et al. “Smoking related COPD and facial wrinkling: is there a common susceptibility?” Thorax 2006; 61: 568-671)

Inhaling Chemicals

It’s estimated that there are more than 4,000 toxins in cigarettes. Here are some of the most common and deadliest poisons that a smoker inhales:

Toluene (found in paint thinner);
Acetone (ingredient in nail polisher remover);
Formaldehyde (used for embalming dead bodies);
Benzene (found in gasoline and pesticides);
Ammonia (makes nicotine readily absorbed, keeping smokers addicted);
Lead and Mercury (cause cancer, brain and liver damage);
Benzopyrene (a tar that causes cancer);
Cadmium (used in batteries);
Butane (a highly flammable poison found in gasoline);
Phenol (ingredient in detergents and disinfectants); and
Propylene Glycol (used as a de-icer).