What proportion of ever smokers quit? Analysis of information from CAMH from 1996-2016

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine trends in the rates of reported quitting (for more than twelve months) among regular and occasional smokers in the Province of Ontario for over twenty years. In addition to the overall trends, we examine trends for males and females, and for different age groups.&nbsp;Methods: A range of legislative measures have been implemented in the province. Data are derived from the CAMH Monitor survey, a continuously-fielded (since 1996) cross-sectional telephone survey of the general adult population (ages 18 years or older) of Ontario.&nbsp;Results: Overall rate of quitting among ever smokers is increasing significantly over time, from 46.5% in 1996 to 65.8% in 2016. The slopes for males and females are significantly different; compared to men, the rate of quitting for women is significantly greater. Three age groups were analyzed: 18-34, 35-54, 55 and over. The rate of quitting is greatest for the oldest group and smallest for the youngest group. The increase in the rate is the same for the youngest and oldest groups; for the middle age group, the increase is about twice that of the other two.&nbsp;Discussion/Conclusions: The rate of quitting smoking has increased. There is a need to investigate the potential impact of quit smoking messages that focus on the benefits of quitting and provide information on available pharmacological ways to promote quitting. Further investigations could lead to the development of messages and strategies that target individuals who are less likely to quit.</p