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Formative Evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act: Comprehensive Report (May 2010)
This is the fourth in a series of reports about the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act
(SFOA). The design of the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act comprises four
components that include a province-wide compliance survey of tobacco vendors and public places
(restaurants and bars) conducted pre- and post-SFOA; a series of interviews that examine public
health unit tobacco enforcement strategies; analysis from population surveys regarding self-reported
exposure to secondhand smoke and youth access to tobacco in addition to an analysis of
administrative data regarding tobacco industry promotional expenditures; and last, an assessment of
risk-factors associated with premise non-compliance with the SFOA. This report presents the results
of all four components of the formative evaluation.
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Impact of the Smoking Cessation System on Young
Male Smokers (March 2010)
This Special Report presents the results from an evaluation study that assessed the extent to which Ontario’s smoking cessation system meets the needs of young male smokers who are 19-29 years old. In 2008, young males had the highest prevalence of current smoking in Ontario; cessation was identified as an evaluation priority for this sub-population. Using a mixed method approach, this evaluation aims to identify potential gaps in Ontario’s smoking cessation system and to highlight possible future directions.
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Youth Action Alliances in Underserved Neighbourhoods (January 2010)
This Special Report presents the results of a case study of the implementation of the Youth Action Alliance (YAA) Program in Toronto, selected because of the unique approach taken to recruiting youth. Using key informant interviews and focus groups with Peer Leaders, the report describes how the program has recruited youth from neighbourhoods identified in the Strong Neighbourhoods Report (2005) as underserved. The authors evaluate the challenges, successes, disadvantages and benefits to this approach, and describe the factors integral to the establishment and function of the group.
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The Future of Household Telephone Surveys on Tobacco: Methodological and Contextual Issues (June 2009)
The Future of Household Telephone Surveys on Tobacco: Methodological and Contextual Issues is the full report of the concurrent working session of the Ontario Tobacco Control Conference: Tobacco Control for the 21st Century: Challenges in Research and Evaluation.
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Anti-Contraband Policy Measures: Evidence for Better Practice (June 2009)
This report is a knowledge synthesis of what is known about the contraband tobacco market globally and the policies in place to help curb it. Given the many different forms of contraband and the ease with which the source can change in response to policy, there is no single solution that will apply to every jurisdiction. As such, the findings have been organized and presented in tables to enable policymakers to easily see what policies have and have not been effective in jurisdictions with a similar form of contraband, and the potential reasons why.
Full Report
Summary Report
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Expert Panel on Tobacco Smoke and Breast Cancer Risk Releases Report: Active Smoking and Secondhand Smoke Linked to Breast Cancer (April 2009)
Based on a comprehensive review of all available evidence, including important recent evidence, the report of the Canadian Expert Panel on Tobacco Smoke and Breast Cancer Risk concludes that there is now enough scientific evidence to link both active smoking and secondhand smoke to breast cancer.
Full Report
Executive Summary - English
Executive Summary - French
Related Backgrounder
Related Press Release April 23, 2009
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Government Regulation of Tobacco Ingredients and Emissions (February 2009)
There is growing discussion about tobacco product modification as a way to reduce the health risks to tobacco users and nonusers exposed to tobacco products. This month’s Special Report, Government Regulation of Tobacco Ingredients and Emissions, discusses potential impacts of changes in tobacco product ingredients and emissions on population health, on smoking behaviours, on industry reactions and on health communications. The report draws on examples from experiences with light and mild cigarettes, PREPS, and regulation of food products and additives. The authors apply an epidemiological framework to elucidate areas where further research is needed.
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A Model for Assessing Gaps in Smoking Cessation Systems and Services in a Local Public Health Unit (September 2008)
In 2006 a vision for smoking cessation in Ontario was developed, providing a basis for evaluating the adequacy of the existing system. Those responsible for tobacco control need protocols for assessing and planning local systems consistent with this vision. This report presents the protocols that can be used to determine the gaps at the local level as well as the actual gaps found in the pilot site (Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit).
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Formative Evaluation of the Youth Action Alliance
(YAA) Program (September 2008)
The Youth Action Alliance program (YAA) is a key component of Smoke-Free Ontario youth prevention programming. This month’s Special Report, produced by members of OTRU’s evaluation team, provides a formative evaluation of the YAA program including a description of its implementation, a review of what works well and less well under different circumstances and a summary of lessons learned.
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An Experimental Investigation of Tobacco Smoke Pollution in Cars (March 2008)
This study demonstrates that TSP in cars can reach unhealthy levels under the most realistic
ventilation conditions. Smoking just one cigarette in a car can lead to levels of tobacco smoke
pollution that match and exceed by several times the levels found in the smokiest bars and
restaurants.
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Formative Evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act: Comparison of Baseline and Two Post SFOA Measurements (November 2007)
This report provides an in depth look at the compliance with stipulations regarding point of sale promotions, youth access, and smoke-free public places, before, immediately after, and one year following the implementation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
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Contraband Cigarettes in Ontario (November 2007)
Taxation of tobacco is an effective policy for preventing and reducing cigarette consumption. However, the widespread availability of contraband cigarettes can undermine the effectiveness of this policy, negate the intended health benefits of tobacco taxation and reduce taxation revenues.
This report documents the scope of the contraband cigarette market in Ontario and quantifies the extent of use and the financial impact on tax revenues of one source of contraband tobacco products - cigarettes purchased on First Nations reserves. The report also describes the characteristics of smokers who most frequently purchase untaxed or partially taxed cigarettes on reserves.
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Formative Evaluation
of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act: Comparison of Baseline and Post-SFOA
Measurements (May 2007)
OTRU's formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) includes three province-wide compliance surveys of randomly selected tobacco vendors and public places (restaurants and bars): one survey conducted prior to implementation of the Act on May 31st 2006, and two surveys conducted post implementation. Formative Evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act: Comparison of Baseline and Post-SFOA Measurements compares findings from baseline with the results of the first post-implementation survey.
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Exploring Innovative Models for Funding Tobacco Control Research Workshop (February 2007 - external report)
The issue of tobacco industry funding of research is both important and controversial. Over the past three years, researchers, policy experts, and advocates have convened to debate issues surrounding the offer and acceptance of funding from the tobacco industry. The most recent discussion took place at an invited workshop convened by Joanna Cohen and colleagues in February 2007. Exploration of Innovative Models for Funding Tobacco Control Research provides a summary of the workshop proceedings.
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Formative Evaluation
of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act Implementation: Summary
of the Baseline Compliance Survey (October 2006)
OTRU is responsible for comprehensive evaluation of the
Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy. An integral part of this effort is a formative evaluation of activities
and impacts of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA). The formative evaluation aims to provide
policymakers and managers with timely information about SFOA implementation. The data will
provide Ministry and Public Health Unit officials with valuable information for planning
enforcement strategies. In accordance with the primary objectives of SFOA, the evaluation
focuses on the extent of compliance with stipulations that prevent youth from purchasing
tobacco, restrict point of sale promotion of tobacco products, and prohibit smoking in public
places and workplaces.
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Provincial Scan of Tobacco Use Prevention
Programs and Services (April 2006)
This report provides an overview of an environmental scan of smoking prevention programs and services identified by health departments across Ontario for the period of April 1, 2004 – March 31, 2005. The collected information is intended to help inform provincial planning, programming and research.
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Second Hand Smoke in Ontario Homes: Findings from a National Study (October 2005)
The purpose of this report is to provide new findings on attitudes and behaviours associated with second hand smoke exposure in Ontario home environments.
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The Economic Impact of Smoke-Free Legislation on the Hospitality Industry (February 2005)
This report provides an up-to-date summary of high quality studies of the economic impact of smoke-free legislation on the hospitality industry. It introduces criteria for assessing the quality of studies, provides an overview of studies available to date, and presents summaries of studies selected on the basis of methodological quality and peer review.
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Provincial Scan of Smoking Cessation Services and Programs 2003 Health Unit Survey: Conducted in Spring 2004 (December 2004)
This report provides an overview of an environmental scan of smoking cessation programs and services as identified by health units across Ontario for the period January 2003 to December 2003.
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The Fiscal Impact of a Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program in Ontario (December 2003)
It has long been clear to the medical community that tobacco imposes an enormous physical and emotional toll on smokers and their loved ones. While the human costs of smoking are enormous, the present report focuses primarily on how we can reduce the monetary costs of tobacco use.
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A Recommended Population Strategy to Help Canadian Tobacco Users (September 2003)
This document is designed to stimulate discussion on the creation of a population strategy to reduce the future health and economic burden of tobacco use among current tobacco users in Canada.
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Considerations and Rationale for a National Action Plan to Help Canadian Tobacco Users (May 2003)
This is the first of two papers designed to provoke discussion on the creation of a national strategy to help current tobacco users. It begins with sections designed to show why a national strategy is warranted. This is followed by a brief profile of current tobacco users in Canada and a critical overview of current interventions available to help them. The paper ends with a discussion of why it is so difficult to quit and why best practices for the creation of a population-based strategy must go beyond the recommendations suggested by clinical practice guidelines for nicotine dependence.
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Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs: a Review and Synthesis of Evaluation Strategies in the United States (June 2001)
This review examines what several U.S. jurisdictions are doing with respect to evaluating comprehensive tobacco control programs. On the basis of our review of evaluation activity in these states, we begin to have a frame of reference for evaluating tobacco control in Ontario.
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Protection from Secondhand Tobacco Smoke in Ontario: A Review of the Evidence Regarding Best Practices (May 2001)
This report reviews current knowledge about the health effects of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. It discusses the inadequacy of ventilation options for providing protection from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. Finally, the current status of legislative protection from second-hand smoke in Ontario and other jursidictions is reviewed.
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Smoking Cessation in Ontario 1998/99 - Current Trends, Interventions and Initiatives (January 2000)
This report presents current trends related to quitting smoking in Ontario, up-to-date evidence on quitting interventions, and a listing of smoking cessation programs and resources available in Ontario.
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Actions Will Speak Louder Than Words: Getting Serious about Tobacco Control in Ontario (February 1999 - external report)
This report of the Expert Panel on Renewal of the Ontario Tobacco Strategy recommends that the Government of Ontario take action on tobacco prices, public education, marketing including packaging, labelling and information disclosure, retail controls, smoke-free spaces, supports for smoking cessation, finance and infrastructure, research, monitoring and evaluation, and cost recovery litigation.
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