Term: Smoking - (CCHS Survey Data)

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2011-10-24

Definition:

Smoking is the act of inhaling tobacco smoke from cigarettes, pipes or cigars. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, an addictive substance that causes some individuals to become addicted to smoking. Smoking damages the lungs and increases the risk of developing cancer, especially lung cancer, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart disease, and many others.

In the CCHS Survey, type of smoker is a derived variable that indicates the type of smoker the respondent is based on responses to questions on his/her smoking habits, such as, "Have you ever smoked cigarettes daily?" Possible responses include daily smoker, occasional daily smoker who previously was a daily smoker, always an occasional smoker, former daily smoker, former occasional smoker, never smoked or not stated.

This variable is derived from responses to several questions on smoking habits. In Fransoo et al. (2009), they use the groupings Current smoker (includes daily smoker, occasional daily smoker who previously was a daily smoker and always an occasional smoker), Former smoker (includes former daily smoker and former occasional smoker), and Non-Smoker (never smoked). In Fransoo et al. (2011), respondents were categorized as either Current smoker (includes daily smoker, occasional smoker who was previously a daily smoker, and always an occasional smoker) or not .

Related terms 

• Adolescent Smoking - (CCHS Survey Data)
• Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
• Current Smokers - (CCHS Survey Data)
• Exposure to Smoke Inside the Home - (CCHS Survey Data)

References 

• Fransoo R, Martens P, Burland E, The Need to Know Team, Prior H, Burchill C. Manitoba RHA Indicators Atlas 2009. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)

Term used in 

• Chartier M, Finlayson G, Prior H, McGowan K, Chen H, de Rocquigny J, Walld R, Gousseau M. Health and Healthcare Utilization of Francophones in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Fransoo R, Martens P, Prior H, Chateau D, McDougall C, Schultz J, McGowan K, Soodeen R, Bailly A. Adult Obesity in Manitoba: Prevalence, Associations, and Outcomes. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2011. [Report] [Summary] (View)