A surge in smokers

Smoking is rising dramatically in the Hamilton area.

Cancer Care Ontario revealed this week that smoking went up by more than a third in a year in the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network, which also includes Burlington.

Nearly 28 per cent of adults aged 20 and older smoke in this LHIN compared with 20 per cent reported last year.

It's in stark contrast to the provincial average, which stayed relatively stable at nearly 23 per cent.

"I'm rather distressed," said Dr. Bill Evans, president of the Juravinski Cancer Centre about the rise.

Terry Sullivan, president and CEO of Cancer Care Ontario, called it an "immediate cause for alarm."