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By Kevin Rothwell

Community Foundation 2023 Vital Signs

Local smoking and drinking above provincial baseline

Dec 3, 2023 | 8:43 PM

North Okanagan residents smoke more and drink more heavily than the B.C. average according to a new report from the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan.

In the North Okanagan, 14 per cent of people ages 12 years and older report daily or occasional smoking. This is on par with Interior Health, but above the provincial rate of 11 per cent.

The rate of heavy drinking in the Okanagan is 23 per cent, which is five percentage points higher than the 18 per cent reported across British Columbia.

Per capita drinking / Image CFNO

Heavy drinking refers to males who reported having five or more drinks, or women who reported having four or more drinks, on one occasion, at least once a month in the past year.

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Smoking and heavy drinking are both linked to adverse health outcomes.

The province and other agencies provide resources to assist people to stop smoking and alcohol overuse.