Smoking has increased over the past five years among young people aged 17 to 25 who use cigarettes as much as vapers, according to a survey released Tuesday.
• Read also: Quebec increases tax on tobacco products
The Léger survey on behalf of the Quebec Student Sports Network (RSEQ) reveals that more than a quarter (26%) of young people surveyed say they smoke at least occasionally, compared to 28% for vapers.
A notable nuance appears in the perception of these two products, since three-quarters of young people consider cigarettes problematic, while this rate rises to 93% when it comes to vapers.
Some 70% of respondents admit that the smoking rate among young people their age has increased, according to the RSEQ study which has just launched its annual De Facto campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking.
“The campaign aims to demonstrate the unacceptability of the activities of the tobacco industry and to change the prevailing social norm towards tobacco within society,” the organization said in a statement.