Economic Impact
Each year, tobacco use costs the Canadian economy an estimated $17 billion and the Alberta economy $1.8 billion. In 2002, approximately $470.6 million was spent in Alberta caring for tobacco related illness. Additional societal costs arise from lost income due to premature death, disability, worker absenteeism, reduced productivity, and tobacco subsidies. In fact, it has been estimated that it costs employers about $2,565 more annually to employ a smoker than to employ a non-smoker.
Finally, tobacco is often responsible for substantial loss of life and property damage accounting for one in four fire deaths in Alberta annually. (Source: Alberta Cancer Board Briefing Note, 2007). Click here to read more about Impact on Hospitality (link to pdf fact sheet)
