The New Landscape of Canadian Tobacco Smoking
The Impact of Cannabis Legalization on Cigarette Use – A Detailed Analysis
🇨🇦 On October 17, 2018, Canada became the first G7 nation to legalize recreational cannabis nationwide. A key public health question was whether this would “normalize” smoking in general, potentially slowing the long-term decline in cigarette use, or whether it would have no effect. This article provides a detailed analysis of how cannabis legalization has reshaped the landscape of tobacco smoking in Canada.
On the surface, this suggests that cannabis legalization has not slowed the rise of co-use. However, a deeper look reveals that legalization has not caused an overall increase in youth cannabis use, and the relationship between cannabis and tobacco is more complex than a simple substitution effect.
- 📈 Co-Use is Common: In 2020, 12.2% of Canadians (3.8 million) reported using at least two of: cigarettes, vaping products, inhaled cannabis, or alcohol [citation:2].
- 📉 Youth Use is Stable: Among Canadian students in grades 7–12, there was no overall change in past 12-month or past 30-day cannabis use following legalization [citation:7].
- 🚭 Cessation Challenges: Cannabis and tobacco co-use is associated with lower odds of successful cigarette smoking abstinence at 6-month follow-up [citation:1].
Research from the 2018 International Cannabis Policy Study, conducted immediately before Canadian legalization, provides a baseline. It found that co-use (use on separate occasions) and simultaneous use were most common in US states where cannabis was already legal, while Canada had the highest rates of mixing tobacco with cannabis [citation:4].
- 🌍 Cross-National Comparison: Among cannabis consumers, the proportion reporting co-use was similar in Canada and US illegal states, but lower in US legal states [citation:4].
- 🚬 Mixing is Common: Mixing cannabis with tobacco (e.g., in spliffs or blunts) was highest in Canada compared to US states, both legal and illegal [citation:4].
- 📉 Smoking Method Declines: Overall, the proportion of people in Canada who smoke cannabis is declining, though smoking remains the most common method (69% in 2024) [citation:3].
📊 Cannabis Legalization: Impact on Tobacco Indicators
| Indicator | Before Legalization (2015–2017) | After Legalization (2019–2024) | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis Use in Cessation Treatment Patients | ~20% [citation:1] | ~38% [citation:1] | ⬆ Increased (linear trend) |
| Youth Cannabis Use (Grades 7–12) | ~20-25% [citation:7] | ~20-25% [citation:7] | ➡ No significant change |
| Smoking as Cannabis Consumption Method | Most common | 69% (still most common, but declining) [citation:3] | ⬇ Declining |
| Polysubstance Use (Cannabis + Tobacco) | ~10-12% [citation:2] | ~12% [citation:2] | ⬆ Slight increase |
| Cessation Success (with co-use) | ~29% (tobacco only) [citation:1] | ~24% (with cannabis) [citation:1] | ⬇ Lower success with co-use |
The impact of legalization has not been uniform across Canada. Quebec, for example, provides a case study:
- 📉 Quebec Trends: After increasing between 2018 and 2021, cannabis use in Quebec is now on a downward trend [citation:8].
- 🧑🤝🧑 Youth Decline: Among Quebecers aged 15–20, cannabis use actually decreased from 28% in 2018 to 19% in 2025 [citation:8].
- 📈 Adult Increase: Among those aged 35 and over, cannabis use has remained above pre-legalization levels [citation:8].
📍 Shipping Across Canada – All Provinces & Territories
We deliver to every province and territory with $29 flat shipping (free over $290) via Canada Post, Purolator, FedEx, or UPS. Age verification (19+) is required upon delivery.
🔥 Top 5 Popular Products for Canadian Smokers
📚 You Might Also Find These Articles Interesting
History of Smoking in Canada
From 1950s ads to plain packaging – a longer timeline.
5 Iconic Ads Banned Today
Campaigns that would never survive modern laws.
1994 Tax Cut Story
How native cigarettes became affordable.
Why Cigarettes Are Expensive
Complete tax breakdown.
Forgotten Canadian Brands
Craven ‘A’, Sweet Caporal, Rothmans.
💨 No gimmicks. Just honest smokes.
Switch to native cigarettes and save up to $7,000/year. We ship anywhere in Canada with $29 flat shipping – free over $290. Age 19+ verification required.
🛒 See Today’s Best Prices →