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Youth

Contraband Cigarette Use Linked to Illicit Drug Use Among Canadian Teens

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A University of Alberta economics professor has discovered a connection between smoking contraband cigarettes and the use of illicit drugs among Canadian teens. Research conducted by Professor Mesbah Sharaf and colleagues from the University of Waterloo found that 31% of adolescent smokers in Canada use contraband tobacco, and those who smoke contraband cigarettes are more likely to use illicit drugs. The study also revealed high rates of cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and amphetamine use among contraband-smoking teens.

Key Takeaways:

  • Contraband cigarette use is linked to illicit drug use among Canadian teens, with 31% of adolescent smokers in Canada using contraband tobacco.
  • Teens who smoke contraband tobacco are more likely to use illicit drugs, with rates sometimes double or triple that of non-contraband smokers.
  • 22% of all adolescent smokers in Canada used cocaine, with 31% of contraband smokers reporting cocaine use compared to 18% of non-contraband smokers.
  • MDMA use was more prevalent among contraband smokers (45%) than among non-contraband smokers (33%).
  • The rate of ketamine and amphetamine use among contraband-smoking teens was almost three times as high as the rate among non-contraband-using teens.
  • Heroin use was more than six times as high among contraband-smoking teens compared to non-contraband-using teens.
  • The study also found a significant relationship between truancy and drug use, as well as binge drinking and drug use.
  • Professor Sharaf is calling on the federal government to strengthen contraband enforcement and enhance public education efforts to combat this trend.

Statistics:

  • 31% of adolescent smokers in Canada use contraband tobacco.
  • 22% of all adolescent smokers in Canada used cocaine.
  • 31% of contraband smokers reported using cocaine, compared to 18% of non-contraband smokers.
  • 45% of contraband smokers used MDMA, compared to 33% of non-contraband smokers.
  • The rate of ketamine and amphetamine use among contraband-smoking teens was almost three times as high as the rate among non-contraband-using teens.
  • Heroin use was more than six times as high among contraband-smoking teens compared to non-contraband-using teens.
  • A total of 2,136 current smoker students in grades 9 to 12 were included in the national sample.

Sources:

  • Mesbah Sharaf et al., "Association Between Contraband Tobacco and Illicit Drug Use Among High School Students in Canada," The Journal of Primary Prevention.
  • Youth Smoking Survey conducted by Statistics Canada (2010-2011).
  • NewsRx LLC, "University of Alberta Economics Professor Finds Link Between Contraband Cigarette Use and Illicit Drug Use Among Canadian Teens."

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