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Ottawa residents are bigger boozers and are more likely to smoke marijuana than other people living in Ontario, something that worries public health officials, and belies the capital’s reputation as buttoned up and boring.

Not only do 31 per cent of adults drink too much every week, but 62 per cent binge drink at least once a year, according to a major new report card called The State of Ottawa’s Health. Equally worrisome is that 30 per cent of Ottawa high school students binge drink at least once a month.

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“For the last several years, the drinking habits of Ottawa residents have been found to be consistently higher than the provincial average,” the report states, noting that more than any drug, alcohol can lead to high-risk behaviours, injuries and death. It can also contribute to chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, stroke and some cancers.

Smoking rates, in contrast, are at historic lows in Ottawa, significantly lower than the rest of the province.