Provincial government revenue from the sale of tobacco products has decreased significantly over the last few years, but that is no reason to “jump for joy” according to the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco.

A recent access to information request published by the province shows that tax revenues from tobacco products have dropped from nearly $135-million in 2020-2021 to over $57-million last year.

Kevin Coady says a drop in revenue doesn’t necessarily mean fewer people are smoking.

He says about one in five people are still smoking in this province, and it is “difficult to know” what is really happening in the industry as people could be cutting back their consumption because of affordability or they could be turning to contraband tobacco.

While tobacco revenues are dropping, the amount of money from vaping products is on the rise, with over $7.5-million collected last year.

Ultimately, Coady believes there is still a “major nicotine addiction problem,” and the industry is getting those products into the hands of young people.

He says young people who vape are still turning to cigarettes, and older people who use vaping to try to quit smoking aren’t seeing those results -and in some cases turn to vaping and smoking. “It’s all about the nicotine which gets a hold on people,” says Coady.