Smokers fall from 26% to 20% of the Canary Islands population over the past decade

More than 19,000 Canary smokers have benefited from the Canary Islands Smoker Assistance Program (PAFCAN), a tobacco‑cessation initiative developed by the General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Health Service (SCS) under the Health Ministry. The program also highlights the health and environmental risks posed by electronic cigarettes and other nicotine products, especially to young people.

PAFCAN is one of the regional government’s key actions against tobacco use. Public Health reminded that tobacco is responsible for a large number of diseases—many fatal—and aggravates existing conditions, even when no direct causal link exists.

The programme is designed to help smokers quit with the support of health‑service professionals (2,800 currently enrolled). According to SCS data, the prevalence of smoking has fallen from 26.2 % in 2015 to 19.9 % today.

World Health Organization (WHO) warning: There is no safe way to consume tobacco. No minimum exposure level is risk‑free; any amount is hazardous. The only healthy choice is not to use tobacco at all.

Vapers and Heated‑Tobacco Products – Especially Dangerous

The rise of “low‑risk” products such as vape devices and heated‑tobacco devices has been heavily promoted in recent years. Electronic cigarettes are marketed as almost harmless, targeting youth with claims of natural origins, nicotine‑free formulas, and appealing flavors (fruits, ice‑cream, etc.).

These products are particularly dangerous for young people because of their low price, attractive design, and the false perception of being healthier. Scientific evidence now shows they cause lung damage even after the first uses.

They also act as a gateway to nicotine consumption and eventually conventional tobacco. Nationally, 1 in 4 youths aged 14‑18 has tried an e‑cigarette, and almost half have used nicotine‑filled cartridges.

In Spain, the majority of adult e‑cigarette users also smoke traditional cigarettes. Moreover, the electronic components generate a significant environmental footprint due to difficult‑to‑recycle materials.

8 Million Deaths Worldwide, 52 000 in Spain

According to the WHO, about eight million people die each year from tobacco‑related causes. In Spain, the toll is roughly 52 000 deaths annually, with the Canary Islands accounting for around 2 300 deaths per year.

Actions Against Tobacco

The Canary Public Health Directorate’s Tobacco Programme aligns its priorities with the WHO Framework Convention and national health agreements.

1. Promotion of Smoke‑Free Spaces

The “Playas sin Humo” (Smoke‑Free Beaches) initiative aims to create outdoor leisure areas free of tobacco smoke, protecting the environment and normalising non‑smoking for new generations. 54 beaches are currently part of the programme.

2. Prevention of Consumption – ITESplus Programme

For 25 years, the Intervention on Tobacco in Secondary Education (ITESplus) programme has been recognized as a best practice by the Ministry of Health. Implemented in compulsory secondary schools, it equips students with skills to reject tobacco industry messages, with a special focus on new products. In the 2024/2025 school year, over 20 000 students from 1st to 4th year of ESO and vocational cycles across 110 centres participated.

3. Promotion of a Tobacco‑Free Life

Two complementary actions:

• Health Promotion – “Los Círculos de la Vida Saludable” – encourages smokers to make a serious quit attempt through community‑based health circles.
• PAFCAN – directly supports current smokers in quitting. The programme now involves 2 800 health professionals and has helped more than 19 000 smokers.

4. Training of Health Professionals

An officially accredited course updates the competencies of health workers. Up to 2020, 56 in‑person editions were delivered; since then, 16 online editions have been offered. Over 2 600 doctors, nurses and other health professionals have completed the training.

Smoking Prevalence in the Canary Islands

Data from the latest Canary Health Survey (ESC 2021) for residents aged 16 +:

• Overall smoking prevalence: 19.9 % (men 23.2 %, women 16.8 %). Down six points since 2015 (26.2 %). Still 375 000 smokers (214 k men, 161 k women).
• Former smokers: Increased from 15.6 % to 21.7 % (men 24.7 % → 27.6 %; women 11.7 % → 18.7 %). 408 000 former smokers now.
• Young adults (16‑29): Prevalence fell to 16.1 % (men 17.3 %, women 15 %). That’s 27 000 fewer smokers than in 2015.
• Early initiation: Those who started before age 15 dropped from 36 % (2015) to 28 % (2021).
• Never‑smokers (15‑29): Rose from 68.5 % (2015) to 77.7 % (2021).

These figures illustrate a clear downward trend in tobacco use, driven by coordinated public‑health policies, education programmes, and targeted cessation support.