In 2016-17, when smokers in grades 7-9 were asked where they usually got their cigarettes, most reported obtaining them from social sources. Nearly two in five smokers usually asked someone to buy cigarettes for them, and another one in five bought them from a friend or someone else. One in five reported being given cigarettes by a friend, family member or someone else, or taking them from a family member (Figure 9.1).
The legal age to purchase cigarettes is 19 in most provinces, with the exception of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec, where the legal purchase age is 18. In the 15-18 age group, most of the smokers surveyed would be underage for purchasing cigarettes.
In 2017, when smokers aged 15-18 were asked where they usually got their cigarettes, the most common source was purchasing from a store, primarily small grocery/corner stores (Figure 9.2). Nearly as many reported being given cigarettes by another person, including friends, family and others. Approximately one in five reported getting cigarettes from “other” sources, which included purchasing from friends/others, and on/from First Nations reserves.
