A comprehensive new Abacus Data poll commissioned by the National Lung Health Alliance (NLHA), the country’s leading lung health advocacy group, finds overwhelming support for preventing the next generation from starting to smoke or vape, with 96% of Canadians saying it is important to prevent today’s children from ever taking up the products, and more than three-quarters supporting a Smoke-Free Generation law.
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quarters → commission → law
It is the first nationwide poll to specifically measure the support of Canadians for a Smoke-Free Generation law.
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It → measure → law
96% of Canadians say it’s important to prevent today’s children from ever taking up smoking or vaping, including 79% who say it is “very important”
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it → say → %
More than 9 in 10 agree that smoking and vaping are harmful to one’s health
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smoking → agree → health
89% support stronger rules to keep tobacco and vaping products out of the hands of youth, while 7% oppose
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% → support → youth
80% say government should do more to stop youth from using nicotine products
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government → say → products
85% support restricting the sale and use of vape flavours that appeal to children and youth, including candy, fruit, dessert and other sweet flavours
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that → support → candy
Three-quarters support a Smoke-Free Generation law that would prevent people born in 2009 or later from ever purchasing tobacco or vaping products, including 8 in 10 young adults aged 18-29.
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that → support → adults
Support crosses federal party lines: 73% of those who voted Conservative in the 2025 federal election, 80% of Liberal voters, and 73% of NDP voters are in favour of the measure.
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who → cross → measure
The Poll Finds Majority Support for a Smoke-Free Generation Across Canada
Support for stronger action on nicotine is broad, reaching a majority in every region of the country.
“This poll tells us something simple,” says Jessica Buckley, President and CEO of Lung Health Foundation, which serves as Secretariat of NLHA.
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which → find → NLHA
“Canadians don’t want to punish anyone who smokes today.
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who → want → anyone
They want to make sure the next generation never starts.
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generation → want → ?
When 96% of Canadians say preventing children from taking up smoking or vaping is important, and 80% say government should do more to stop youth from using nicotine products, Canadians are clearly calling for prevention and action.”
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Canadians → say → prevention
Youth advocate Addison Nicholls, who lives in Saskatchewan and volunteers with Lung Saskatchewan’s Youth4Change initiative, says: “It is very important to me that my friends and our generation are protected from nicotine and its harmful side effects.
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friends → live → nicotine
I have seen firsthand just how significantly these products affect our lives and it’s heartbreaking.”
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it → see → lives
What Smoke-Free Generation (SFG) Is – And Isn’t
A Smoke-Free Generation (SFG) policy would not criminalize possession or use, and it would not apply to people who are already legally entitled to purchase tobacco or vaping products.
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who → criminalize → products
It would also not restrict access to traditional ceremonial tobacco.
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It → restrict → tobacco
Instead, a SFG law would prevent Canadians born in 2009 or later from ever legally purchasing tobacco or vaping products for recreational use.
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law → prevent → use
The policy is designed to phase out legal access to these products for future generations, rather than remove products from adults who can legally purchase them today.
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who → design → them
Why Prevention Matters
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Prevention → matter → ?
Preventing nicotine addiction before it starts is the central focus of the Smoke-Free Generation approach.
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it → prevent → approach
Rather than waiting until people develop a long-term dependence on nicotine and potentially experiencing related health consequences, prevention seeks to reduce the number of young people who begin using tobacco and vaping products at an early age.
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who → wait → age
As part of its advocacy efforts at “Day on the Hill” from October 19-21, a delegation of NLHA member organizations and patient advocates is calling on federal lawmakers to respond to this robust public support with stronger measures to prevent youth nicotine use and to advance a Smoke-Free Generation in Canada.
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delegation → call → Canada
The poll finds majority backing in every region:
- Saskatchewan/Manitoba: (strongest nationwide); 96% support stronger laws to protect future generations; 97% support stronger rules on youth access; 82% support a Smoke-Free Generation law
- Quebec: 91% support stronger laws to protect future generations; 91% support stronger rules on youth access; 80% support a Smoke-Free Generation law
- Atlantic Canada: 88% support stronger laws to protect future generations; 90% support stronger rules on youth access; 72% support a Smoke-Free Generation law
- Ontario: 83% support stronger laws to protect future generations; 89% support stronger rules on youth access; 75% support a Smoke-Free Generation law
- British Columbia: 86% support stronger laws to protect future generations; 88% support stronger rules on youth access; 76% support a Smoke-Free Generation law
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% → find → law
Alberta: (most cautious region, but still majority support across the board); 74% support stronger laws to protect future generations; 83% support stronger rules on youth access; 69% support a Smoke-Free Generation law
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% → support → law
What Youth Leaders Are Saying
Esther, 17, New Brunswick Youth Council
“A smoke-free future would mean that young people can grow up without feeling like tobacco or vaping needs to be part of our lives.
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tobacco → say → lives
I think preventing addiction is important because young people should have the opportunity to make healthy choices without being pressured or exposed to addictive products.
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people → think → products
Our generation should also have a voice in these conversations because we are the ones who will live with the decisions being made today.
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who → have → decisions
I want decisionmakers to understand that protecting youth from tobacco and nicotine is not just about today it is about creating a healthier future for the next generation.
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it → want → generation
”
What Lung Health Leaders in Your Province Are Saying
Christopher Lam, President & CEO, BC Lung Foundation
“The benefits of the Smoke-Free Generation policy are undeniable.
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benefits → say → policy
There simply is no safe age to smoke or vape and we’d like to see that acknowledged and reflected by the federal government.
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that → smoke → government
As the leading cause of preventable death in Canada, it’s time to take a bold approach and protect future Canadian kids from these deadly products.”
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it → lead → products
Leigh Allard, President & CEO, Alberta Lung
“Every person deserves the opportunity to grow up free from nicotine addiction.
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person → deserve → addiction
A Smoke-Free Generation policy is a practical, long-term approach that puts the health of young people first.
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that → put → people
We have seen the devastating impact tobacco and nicotine addiction can have on individuals, families, and our healthcare system.
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addiction → see → individuals
This is an opportunity for Canada to take meaningful action that protects future generations and prevents addiction before it starts.”
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it → take → addiction
Erin Kuan, President & CEO, Lung Saskatchewan
“For decades, Lung Saskatchewan has worked to prevent tobacco-related disease and protect the health of future generations.
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Saskatchewan → work → generations
We know that nicotine addiction can begin early, and we should not accept a future where another generation is exposed to products that can cause lifelong harm.
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that → know → harm
Canada has an opportunity to be bold—to make the health of our children and grandchildren the priority and ensure that the next generation grows up free from tobacco and nicotine addiction.
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generation → have → tobacco
Melanie Langille, President & CEO, NB Lung | Poumon NB
“Young people in New Brunswick deserve to grow up without cigarettes and vapes being normalized as part of adolescence.
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cigarettes → deserve → adolescence
…and 21 more, not listed.
The Aporia
