P.E.I. Smoking Rates Plateau: New Options Emerge

Prince Edward Island's deputy chief public health officer, Dr. David Sabapathy, notes that smoking cessation rates in the province are beginning to level off. While tobacco use has declined overall, the pace of this decrease is slowing, with current usage at approximately 11%, slightly higher than the national average. The province's Smoking Cessation Program, launched in December 2019, provides free nicotine replacement therapy for up to 18 weeks to any resident. This program saw its highest enrolment in 2025, with over 2,000 participants, and has served more than 9,000 Islanders since its start.

The increasing prevalence of vaping presents new challenges, and its long-term impact compared to cigarettes is still being assessed. However, vaping cessation services are included in the provincial program. Notably, about 30% of Grade 12 students in P.E.I. reported using e-cigarettes or vaping products in the preceding month. While vaping may have aided some in quitting tobacco, it is not yet integrated into formal cessation programs, which continue to rely on proven methods like nicotine gum and patches.