Jan 02, 2015
By Scott Walker
New laws making it harder to smoke in public haven’t convinced anyone to kick the habit.
A new poll by Forum Research shows 18% of Ontario adults are still smokers. That number has held steady for the past five years.
More Zoomers appear to have kicked the habit, or never took it up. The highest rates of smoking are among those from 18 to 55 years of age. About 22% say they are never far from a pack of smokes.
The survey says most smokers admit they’ve tried to kick the habit several times. And two-thirds say they will likely try again this year.
Almost half the respondents say they have never smoked.
And about two-thirds of those who used to smoke managed to kick the habit through will-power by going cold turkey. Only a few were able to stop using the patch, electronic cigarettes, or nicotine sprays or gum.
The findings come as tough new rules came into effect in Ontario yesterday making it illegal to smoke on bar and restaurant patios, as well as playgrounds and public sports fields.
The new rules also ban the sale of tobacco on post-secondary campuses.
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