Province Targeting Smokers

The provincial government wants Ontario to have the lowest smoking rates in the country.
Health Minister Deb Matthews says the province must do whatever it can to help people quit, so $2-million is being set aside over 2-years so those hospitalized for smoking-related illnesses can stay smoke-free.
Another $810,000 will go towards cutting smoking rates in 25 targeted occupations, such as mining and construction.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Doctor Arlene King says young adults have the highest smoking rate of any age group in Ontario but many consider themselves just “social smokers.”
About 13,000 Ontario residents die from smoking-related illness each year, and tobacco-related disease costs taxpayers nearly $2-billion in health-care costs annually.