Why Gen Z Smokes Less Than Millennials at the Same Age
Numbers, Behavioral Shifts, and Future Predictions for Canadian Tobacco Use
📉🚭 In 1965, nearly 40% of Canadian women and over 60% of men smoked . By 2020, that number had plummeted to under 15% . Gen Z (born 1997–2012) has driven much of this decline — but the story isn’t simple. While traditional cigarette smoking has collapsed among young Canadians, nicotine use has not disappeared. It has simply shifted forms. This article examines the numbers, the reasons behind Gen Z’s rejection of cigarettes, the rise of vaping, and what the future holds for tobacco use in Canada.
📊 The Numbers: Gen Z vs. Millennials at the Same Age
According to Statistics Canada data, the decline is dramatic:
- In 2001, 8.1% of youth aged 15-19 smoked daily. By 2022, that number had fallen to just 0.9% .
- The share of young smokers (15-19) in Canada’s smoking population declined from 8.1% to just 0.9% between 2001 and 2022 .
- Only 1.6% of youth reported smoking in the past 30 days as of 2022 — an all-time low .
- Fewer than 1% of youth smoke daily, leading Health Canada to declare that “an entire generation is benefiting from lifelong health benefits” .
Contrast with Millennials at the same age: When Millennials were in their teens and early 20s (early 2000s), smoking rates were still above 20% among young adults. The decline accelerated sharply after 2010, meaning Gen Z came of age during a period of historically low smoking prevalence.
📅 Millennials as a Baseline: When Smoking Was Still Normal
Millennials are now the heaviest smoking cohort in Canada today — over one-third (34%) report smoking regularly, and 79% buy cigarettes at convenience stores . This reflects both the era they grew up in (smoking was still relatively common) and the fact that addiction is hardest to break once established.
🔍 Why Gen Z Smokes Less: 5 Key Factors
1. 🧠 Radical Shift in Social Acceptability
Gen Z has grown up in a world where smoking is banned in virtually all indoor public spaces — restaurants, bars, offices, airplanes, and even many outdoor areas. Unlike Millennials, who remember smoking sections in restaurants, Gen Z views smoking as an unpleasant, fringe behavior . A 2024 Colorado survey showed that Gen Z’s aversion to smoke extends to cannabis — many refuse to smoke joints, preferring vapes and concentrates instead .
2. 💨 The Vape Displacement Effect
Gen Z almost became the generation to nix the smoking habit for good — until vapes hit the market . Vaping exploded among youth starting around 2016-2018, offering:
- Flavours — Fruit, candy, and mint flavours that traditional cigarettes lack .
- Perceived safety — Many young people believe vaping is “much less harmful” than smoking (though evidence is mixed) .
- Discretion — Vapes produce less smell and dissipate faster, making them easier to hide from parents and teachers .
Today, 29% of Gen Z shoppers report regular vaping use — nearly three in ten . Traditional smoking has been partially replaced, not eliminated .
3. 💵 Economic Pressure
Cigarettes are expensive. A pack of premium cigarettes in Canada costs $18-22 — unaffordable for many young people, especially given housing and tuition costs. Gen Z’s economic pessimism (student debt, housing crisis, inflation) may make a $20/day habit seem reckless .
4. 🏥 Health Awareness and Stigma
Gen Z is arguably the most health-conscious generation yet, with high awareness of cancer risks, secondhand smoke, and the cosmetic effects of smoking (wrinkles, yellow teeth). Social stigma around smoking is now higher than ever — it’s not just seen as unhealthy, but as “gross” or “dated” .
5. 📜 Stronger Legislation
Gen Z came of age under Canada’s Tobacco Strategy (2018-2035), which includes:
- Plain packaging (2019) — No logos, no colours, just drab brown boxes with graphic warnings .
- Flavour bans — Menthol was banned in all tobacco products in 2018 .
- Age verification — Stricter enforcement of minimum age (18 or 19 depending on province).
⚠️ The Catch: Gen Z is Using Nicotine — Just Differently
While cigarette smoking has collapsed among Gen Z, nicotine use has not. A 2026 report from insurance firm PolicyMe found that:
- 7.3% of Canadians aged 18-29 use nicotine daily — the highest rate of any age group .
- Other age groups reported only 5-6% daily nicotine use .
- This includes vapes, e-cigarettes, traditional cigarettes, and chewing tobacco .
The difference is how they consume nicotine: vaping over smoking.
Vaping is now the primary route of nicotine delivery for young Canadians. Key statistics from Statistics Canada (2022):
- 20% of 20-24 year olds had vaped in the past 30 days .
- 14% of 15-19 year olds had vaped in the past 30 days .
- Among 25+ Canadians, only 4% had vaped recently .
- Young vapers cite stress reduction (31-33%) as their primary reason — not quitting cigarettes .
🧠 Why Young People Choose Vapes Over Cigarettes
- Flavours: Fruit, candy, mint, and dessert flavours are widely available and heavily marketed — often with colourful packaging . Health groups warn that flavours are “a key factor in attracting young people to nicotine products” .
- Stress relief: 31% of 15-19 year olds and 33% of 20-24 year olds vape to reduce stress .
- Social acceptance: Vaping is seen as “cleaner” and more modern than smoking .
- Lower perceived harm: Many young people believe vaping is “much less harmful” than cigarettes, though experts warn against this assumption .
- Discretion: Vapes produce less lingering odour, making them easier to use without detection .
📜 Policy Responses: What Governments Are Doing
🇨🇦 Canada’s Tobacco Strategy (2018-2035)
Canada’s goal: reduce tobacco use to less than 5% by 2035 . Current progress shows smoking rates are at ~11% (2024) — on track but work remains .
🍬 The Flavour Ban Debate
Menthol was banned in cigarettes in 2018 . However, vaping products are not consistently regulated as tobacco products — fruit flavours remain widely available . Health groups have been calling for federal action since 2021, but draft regulations remain unfinalized . The only province with a full vaping flavour ban is Nova Scotia (April 2020) .
Controversy: A 2026 study found that flavour bans may have unintended consequences — cigarette sales increased by nearly 10% after provinces banned flavoured vapes, as former vapers returned to smoking .
📅 Generational Tobacco Ban (Under Consideration)
Following the UK’s lead (Tobacco and Vapes Bill, 2026), Canada is exploring a generational tobacco ban . Health Minister Marjorie Michel confirmed she is “looking into” the idea .
How it would work: Anyone born after a certain date (e.g., January 1, 2009) would never be allowed to purchase cigarettes — a “rolling age restriction” that phases out smoking over time .
Status: Under review, with consultations expected across governments .
🔮 Future Predictions: What Happens Next?
Scenario 1 — Optimistic (Effective regulation): Federal flavour bans for vaping products are implemented, reducing youth uptake. Combined with generational tobacco bans, smoking effectively disappears among Gen Z and future generations. Nicotine use declines overall as both smoking and vaping become stigmatized.
Scenario 2 — Pessimistic (Policy failure): Flavour bans remain stalled; vaping continues to recruit new young users. Some vapers switch to cigarettes as they age (especially if flavour bans drive them back to combustible tobacco). Nicotine addiction persists, just in different forms.
Scenario 3 — Most Likely (Mixed): Smoking rates continue to decline among youth, approaching near-zero by 2040. Vaping rates stabilize or decline modestly as regulations tighten, but a “nicotine replacement generation” emerges — fewer traditional smokers, but sustained nicotine use through alternative products .
📌 Honest Summary
Do Gen Z smoke less than Millennials at the same age? Yes — dramatically. Daily smoking among 15-19 year olds has fallen from 8.1% to 0.9% .
Have they stopped using nicotine altogether? No. Gen Z has the highest daily nicotine use rate (7.3%) of any generation — they’ve simply switched from cigarettes to vapes .
Will smoking disappear entirely? Among Gen Z and future generations, almost certainly — if current trends continue. But nicotine addiction is not disappearing; it’s evolving.
The bottom line: Gen Z’s rejection of cigarettes is one of the greatest public health victories in Canadian history. But the rise of vaping among youth is a new challenge — one that policymakers are still struggling to address effectively.
🛒 Popular Native Cigarettes on Cigstore.ca
While younger generations move to vapes, millions of Canadians still prefer traditional cigarettes — at affordable prices.
📚 You Might Also Find These Articles Interesting
Canada’s Smoking Rate Over 50 Years
The long-term decline from 60% to 11%.
Canada’s Tobacco Strategy 2018-2035
The national plan to reach <5% smoking.
The Illicit Tobacco Market
How contraband cigarettes affect legal sales.
Why Are Cigarettes So Expensive?
Tax breakdown — and why native cigarettes cost less.
The $7,000 Question
How much heavy smokers save switching to native cigarettes.
🚚 Fast & Reliable Shipping Across Canada
$29 flat shipping on all orders under $290
Free shipping on orders $290 or more – anywhere in Canada
📦 Shipped via Canada Post, Purolator, FedEx, or UPS – carrier selected based on your location for fastest delivery.
Age verification required upon delivery (19+). Indigenous-owned – rooted in tradition, delivered with trust.
📉 Smoking is declining — but millions still smoke.
Whether you’re Gen Z, Millennial, or Boomer, native cigarettes from $29/carton are your most affordable choice. $29 flat shipping, free over $290.
🛒 Shop Native Cigarettes →Sources: Statistics Canada (2022) ; Health Canada Canada’s Tobacco Strategy progress report (2026) ; PolicyMe insurance report (2026) ; 2026 C-store IQ National Shopper Study ; CityNews Ottawa (April 2026) ; Westword Colorado survey (2024) ; Vancouver Chosun Ilbo (2026) ; Global News (2026) .