Abstract Marginalized populations are being disproportionally affected by the current pandemic. Direct effects include higher infection rates with greater morbidity and mortality; indirect effects stem from the societal response to limit the spread o

Continued tobacco use adversely affects cancer treatment outcomes. Specifically, continued smoking by cancer patients can accelerate disease progression, result in decreased overall and disease-specific survival, as well as increase the risk of disea

Abstract Objectives Smoking cessation interventions with sex considerations have been found to effectively increase cessation rates. However, evidence is limited and weak. This study examined sex differences in the use of smoking cessation services o

Abstract Introduction The legalization of nonmedical cannabis in 2018 may have important implications for tobacco use in Canada. There is a risk of renormalizing tobacco use with co-use of tobacco and cannabis introducing nontobacco users to tobacco.

Abstract No research has examined the prevalence of involuntary cannabis exposure in the home within the context of multi-unit housing (MUH). The 2017 cycle of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor population RDD survey included measures

Abstract A growing body of research has shown that neighbourhood-level factors, such as the density of retail outlets selling tobacco and neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage affect smoking prevalence, with high levels of outlet density and neigh

Abstract Objectives The Government of Canada has proposed an ‘endgame’ target for cigarette smoking that aims to reduce prevalence below 5% by 2035. To meet this difficult goal, it will be necessary to identify populations where interventions will (1

Abstract Background Menthol in cigarettes has been shown to increase regular cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, and decrease success in smoking cessation. Owing to these reasons, in May 2015, the province of Ontario introduced a menthol ban o

Abstract Objective: We examined menthol cigarette smokers’ reactions to Ontario’s menthol cigarette ban. Methods: In April 2017, past-year adult menthol cigarette smokers from Ontario, Canada (N = 67; 64.2% women) participated in an onlin

Abstract Background: As of 1 January 2017, the Canadian province of Ontario banned the distribution and sale of menthol tobacco products. There is limited knowledge about how tobacco companies will adapt their packaging in response to a menthol ban.

Abstract The province of Ontario, Canada, implemented a full menthol cigarette ban on January 1, 2017. To date, there has been no population-wide, systematic evaluation of the association of the implementation of a menthol ban with smoker behavior. A

Abstract Introduction: Phillip Morris International (PMI) is pushing hard to promote IQOS heat-not-burn cigarettes in Ontario, Canada. Canada regulates IQOS as a tobacco product so that the robust tobacco marketing ban creates challenges to its promo

Includes Full Report, Executive Summary, chapter downloads and mini infographic posters Key Findings: In 2015, 20% of Ontarians aged 12 years or older used tobacco products in the past 30 days including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco an

Letter The results provided by Stephens [1] may suggest to readers that since the concentrations of carcinogens are lower in vapourised nicotine products (VNPs), the risks of cancer are smaller compared to conventional cigarettes. The article uses th

Tobacco cessation interventions by healthcare providers have been shown to significantly increase cessation rates. Three surveys were conducted in 2013, 2015 and 2017 to explore the state of tobacco cessation practices and services in the Central Wes

Key Findings: Past 30-day use of various tobacco products (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff or chewing tobacco, but not including waterpipe and electronic cigarettes) reported by Ontarians aged 12 years or older was 20% – statistically lowe

Abstract Menthol cigarettes are associated with increased initiation and progression to regular smoking and decreased likelihood of smoking cessation. Menthol smokers are more likely to be women and adolescents in several countries. The Conference of

Of the more than 7000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, nicotine is one of the most widely assessed. Nicotine has been identified as the primary substance in tobacco that causes addiction and, as such, the main substance driving use of tobacco products. Fo

Abstract Smoking cigarettes is, without question, bad for your health. But can we say for certain that smoking marijuana is as harmful? Perhaps not for certain, but it is a safe bet according to the available evidence. Studies have shown that smoking

Philip Morris International says that it will be marketing a new product called iQOS in Ontario. iQOS uses a special device to heat the tobacco to release an aerosol vapour that is inhaled by the smoker. The industry has argued that this type of devi

OTRU has begun a new project to assess the implementation and impact of the new tobacco and e-cigarette policy measures being implemented in Ontario. This newsletter provides an overview of the new measures and outlines evaluation activities happenin

The Canadian government may be preparing regulations for plain and standardized packaging of cigarette products. This OTRU update examines the level of public support for plain packaging in Ontario, which is among the highest in the world. This high

Abstract Background: All over the world, Indigenous populations have remarkably high rates of commercial tobacco use compared to non-Indigenous groups. The high rates of commercial tobacco use in Indigenous populations have led to a variety of health

Abstract Support for a public health approach to cannabis policy as an alternative to prohibition and criminalization is gaining momentum. Recent drug policy changes in the United States suggest growing political feasibility for legal regulation of c

This infographic is based on the findings of a study by OTRU researchers that assessed air quality using multiple ambient air measures and a biomarker for exposure in both indoor and outdoor waterpipe cafes in Toronto, Canada. Zhang B, Haji F, Kaufma

Abstract: Background: Tobacco and non-tobacco-based waterpipe smoking has increased exponentially in many countries in recent decades, particularly among youth and young adults. Although tobacco smoking is banned in many indoor public places, waterpi

Abstract Objective: To examine waterpipe use and its association with demographic factors, tobacco cigarette smoking, ever use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and alcohol use among high school students. Methods: Data were derived from the 201

Abstract Background: As regulation of tobacco products tightens, there are concerns that illicit markets may develop to supply restricted products. However, there are few validated measures to assess attitudes or purchase intentions toward contraband

As waterpipe use has increased around the world, it has become a growing public health concern. This update examines the latest population survey data about the prevalence of waterpipe use in Ontario, patterns of use, beliefs and attitudes about use

Abstract Objectives: Current estimates indicate that cigarillo use has become commonplace among young adults in Canada despite the established risks to health. However, little else is known about patterns of cigarillo use in this subpopulation. The i

To view the Quitting Smoking in Ontario infographic in a larger size, right-click on the graphic and choose to open the image in a new tab. You can also download the poster information in PowerPoint format (each item on one slide). Poster References

In recent years in Canada and in other countries, the tobacco industry has increasingly used flavours as part of a marketing strategy to make tobacco products more attractive, especially for youth and young adults. This update summarizes current legi

Comprehensive tobacco control includes age-related restrictions on access to tobacco products. These restrictions target young people who, as a group, are vulnerable to smoking initiation. This update reviews youth access provisions by provincial, te

Using data from the 2012 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s CAMH Monitor, this update presents findings on the level of support among Ontario adults aged 18 years and older for assigning a Restricted or “R” rating to movies that show characters

Abstract Objective: Secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) harms adults and children. Though most governments are obliged by international health treaty to protect nonsmokers from SHSe, few adequately do so. Public opinion can provide a powerful mandate fo

Litigation against the tobacco industry is any attempt to challenge the tobacco industry through judicial process. This update summarizes healthcare cost recovery legislation and litigation against the tobacco industry, by Canadian provincial and ter

Abstract Tobacco taxation is an essential component of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy. However, to fully realize the benefits it is vital to understand the impact of increased taxes among high-risk subpopulations. Are they influenced to the

Comprehensive tobacco control includes prohibition of tobacco sales in specific places in order to decrease the physical availability of tobacco products. This Update discusses current legislation in Ontario and elsewhere about where tobacco products

Abstract The availability of low-cost cigarettes undermines tobacco control’s most effective measure to reduce smoking prevalence: keeping cigarette prices high by raising tobacco taxes.1 The discount cigarette market share has grown considerably sin

Waterpipe (hookah) use is increasing globally. This update reviews recent data that provide an indication of level of use in Canada, summarizes evidence suggesting that waterpipe smoke is at least as toxic as cigarette smoke and points to serious hea