Investigators:
Dr. Michael Chaiton – Principal Investigator
Michael Chaiton is a senior scientist at CAMH’s Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, director of research at the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit and associate professor affiliated with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Institute for Medical Sciences, at University of Toronto.
He has a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto and is co-director of the Collaborative Specialization on Addiction Studies. His work has been funded by CIHR, NIH, FDA, PHAC, Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health. He received an early-career research award and was recognized as having a top-impact paper from the Canadian Cancer Society.
His work includes understanding the impact of policy on population-level influences of mental health and substance use and the development of co-morbidities, particularly among youth and young adults. His work uses longitudinal cohort studies to evaluate changes in behaviours over time and using machine learning to identify predictors of change.
View Dr. Chaiton’s publications on ORCID or Google Scholar.
Robert Schwartz – Co-Investigator
Robert Schwartz is Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
He is a leading public health policy researcher whose work spans tobacco control, cannabis and vaping regulation, smoking cessation, and opioid harm reduction. His research program, funded by CIHR, NIH, Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society, focuses on evaluating regulatory policies, advancing cessation strategies, and strengthening public health accountability and governance. He has made substantial academic and applied contributions through innovative approaches to policy evaluation, performance measurement, and management, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and invited presentations.
Research Team:
Apsara Ali Nathwani
Research Coordinator, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Apsara Ali Nathwani (She/her) is a Research Coordinator at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research (IMHPR), CAMH with over seven years of research experience in child, youth, and women’s mental health and addictions. She holds an M.Sc. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and a B.Sc. in Psychology.
Her work focuses on advancing health equity, supporting the development of integrated systems of mental health and addiction care, and translating research evidence into policies and practices that improve outcomes for children, youth, and families.
Her major projects have focused on integrated youth health services, family mental health in the context of medical complexities, postpartum mental health, developmental disabilities, child maltreatment, pediatric HIV outbreaks, and pandemic-related stressors.
View Apsara’s publications on ORCID or Google Scholar.
Rachael Pascoe
Research Coordinator, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Rachael Pascoe (she/her) is a Research Coordinator at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research (IMHPR) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She earned her PhD in Social Work from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW), University of Toronto in 2025. She holds an HBA in Health Studies and an MSW.
Rachael’s clinical social work experience spans addiction and mental health for all age groups, sexual violence prevention, and trauma therapy for youth through her work in the community and private practice. Her SSHRC-funded doctoral dissertation was a mixed method examination of the impact of group therapy for adolescents who have sexually offended. She has research expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methodology, with a focus on survey research and constructivist grounded theory. She has held research roles in the areas of 2SLGBTQ+ mental health interventions and child and youth adversity and resiliency. Rachael is committed to improving interventions for underserved populations through research, clinical practice, and education. She continues to teach clinical practice social work courses at the University of Toronto.
View Rachael’s publications on Google Scholar
Madison Wright
Research Manager, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Madi is a Research Manager within the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research (IMHPR) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She has worked at CAMH for over seven years in various roles and completed her PhD in Pharmacology with a Specialization in Addiction Studies and BSc in Neuroscience and Mental Health. She is excited to be a part of the Smoke Free Connect team, where she currently supports the project and people through all research phases.
Stakeholders:
Sarah Butson
CEO – Canadian Lung Association
Sarah is a dedicated advocate for healthy public policy. As the CEO of the Canadian Lung Association, she’s deeply passionate about protecting the respiratory health of all Canadians. She has worked for over fifteen years in the field of health promotion and chronic disease prevention, ten of which have been within the lung association family. She has led CLA’s work on important files such as air quality, youth vaping and tobacco control. Prior to this, Sarah oversaw tobacco control educational programs and awareness campaigns as Director of Health Promotion at the provincial level.
Sarah has seen firsthand how damaging smoking can be and strongly believes in the power of community to support people through this process and help them achieve a healthier, smoke-free life.
Ian Culbert
Executive Director, Canadian Public Health Association
Since 2013, Ian Culbert has served as Executive Director of the Canadian Public Health Association, where he oversees strategic operations and advocates for population health, equity, and sustainability. Ian brings extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement across public and private sectors. His career at CPHA spans roles in communications, business development, and program leadership, reflecting his commitment to strengthening Canada’s public health systems. Known for his pragmatic leadership and collaborative approach, Ian has worked closely with governments, non-governmental organizations, and community organizations to advance public health priorities.
Andrée-Sophie
Program Manager, Canadian Cancer Society
Gestionnaire de programmes avec plus de 10 ans d’expérience à la Société canadienne du cancer (SCC), Andrée-Sophie excelle dans la conception et la mise en œuvre de programmes innovants, axés sur la cessation tabagique et le vapotage auprès de populations vulnérables. Sa démarche repose sur des stratégies rigoureusement fondées sur des données probantes et sur la cocréation avec les communautés ciblées, garantissant des interventions adaptées et efficaces.
A program manager with over 10 years’ experience at the Canadian Cancer Society, Andrée-Sophie excels in designing and implementing innovative smoking cessation and vaping programs for vulnerable populations. Her approach is based on rigorous evidence-based strategies and co-creation with target communities, guaranteeing tailored and effective interventions.
Foram Patel
Senior Specialist, Policy & Advocacy – Canada | Heart & Stroke
