In 2016-17, 4.0% of students in grades 7-9 reported having ever smoked a cigarillo, and 2.9% had smoked a cigar (Figure 10.1). In 2017, among youth aged 15-19, these figures were 15.9% and 10.4%, respectively. Waterpipe use was also popular, with 3.2% of grades 7-9 students and 9.6% of youth aged 15-19 reporting ever use. Fewer youth reported having used smokeless tobacco products (1.5% of grades 7-9; 6.3% of age 15-19).
NOTE: CSTADS 2014-15 and 2016-17 asked about use of each tobacco product individually (yes/no), whereas previous years asked in a “check all that apply” format; estimates may not be comparable over time.
As shown in Figure 10.2, among students in grades 7-9, ever use of cigars/cigarillos has decreased over time since 1994, while smokeless tobacco use dropped substantially after 1994 and has remained low since, and pipe use was low in all years measured. Between 2014-15 and 2016-17, there were no significant changes in ever use of cigars/cigarillos or smokeless tobacco among students in grades 7-9.100,101 Among youth aged 15-19, ever use of cigars/cigarillos increased between 2003 and 2007, but has declined steadily since then; ever use of chewing tobacco/pinch/snuff has remained stable since 2003. Between 2015 and 2017, use of cigars/cigarillos decreased significantly in the 15-19 age group,102 while there was no significant change in chewing tobacco/pinch/snuff.103
