This newsletter focuses on the results from the health effects and patterns of use knowledge syntheses, analysis of Ontario survey data as well as preliminary results of the Adult Longitudinal Panel 6-month follow-up survey.

This update provides a snapshot of two current projects supported by OTRU’s Knowledge and Evaluation Support Team: Monitoring the Integration of the 5As Approach to Cessation in Central West Ontario, and Tobacco Vendor Education: A Needs Assessment i

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

Many researchers use a definition of quit attempt that requires any attempt at cessation to last longer than 24 hours. Using data from OTRU’s Ontario Tobacco Survey, this update examines factors associated with making quit attempts that last more tha

This newsletter, the fourth in a series from OTRU’s Research on E-Cigarettes (RECIG) project, focuses on the results of youth and young adult interviews and provides an update on RECIG’s Adult and the Youth and Young Adult Surveys.

This newsletter provides a snapshot of two current projects supported by OTRU’s Knowledge and Evaluation Support Team: an evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act Outdoor Smoking Restrictions using data from four case study locations across Ontario,

Movies are a powerful vehicle for promoting tobacco use. Higher exposure to tobacco in movies increases the uptake of smoking among youth and undermines tobacco prevention efforts. This Special Report examines the extent of onscreen tobacco exposure

The majority of smokers begin smoking in their teens or early twenties. Raising the legal age of access to tobacco to age 21 has the potential to impact positively on future smoking prevalence and health outcomes. This update outlines reasons to cons

This newsletter about the Research on Non-Traditional Tobacco Reduction in Aboriginal Communities (RETRAC) project includes an update on research being conducted with exemplar communities and community-based research with Aboriginal communities in On

The Ontario Tobacco Research Unit (OTRU), in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), has undertaken a multi-component research study of e-cigarettes. This project newsletter provides an update on our social media analysis,

The first in the series of 2015-2016 newsletters from OTRU’s Knowledge and Evaluation Support Team provides a summary of activities and project progress this year. Project highlights in this issue include: plans to evaluate TO2015 Smoke-Free Games Po

Abstract: In 2010, Waterloo Region Housing (Canada) enacted a smoke-free (SF) housing policy that made all new leases in their community-housing portfolio (2722 units) 100 % SF. Existing lease holders were ‘grandfathered’—meaning tenants could still

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

OTRU has been working with Smoke-Free Ontario partners to evaluate workplace-based smoking cessation demonstration projects in various public health units across Ontario. This newsletter reports on evaluation findings relevant to the construction sec

OTRU has been working with Smoke-Free Ontario partners to evaluate workplace-based smoking cessation demonstration projects in various public health units across Ontario. The workplace demonstration projects aimed to reduce present levels of smoking

This newsletter reports on a comparative evaluation of STOP program delivery in Addiction Agencies, Community Health Centres and Family Health Teams. The evaluation provides knowledge on the overall successes and challenges in the provision of cessat

Abstract: In the present study, we examined the association between duration of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use and smoking cessation using data from the Ontario Tobacco Survey longitudinal study (3 waves of data collected between July 2005 an

Research shows that smokers who use quit aids such as pharmacotherapies and behavioral support are more likely to be successful in smoking cessation than smokers who do not use quit aids. This update explores factors related to use and trends in the

The second in a series of four newsletters from OTRU’s Research on E-Cigarettes (RECIG) Project highlights initial findings from the project’s knowledge synthesis, a study of the effects of e-cigarettes on cue-Induced craving, analysis of national su

The fourth in the series of 2014-2015 newsletters from OTRU’s Knowledge and Evaluation Support Team provides a summary of activities and project progress this year, and highlights evaluation activities related to amendments to the City of Toronto byl

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

Research demonstrates that many factors are associated with contraband tobacco use, including: easy access, misconceptions about “legal” purchase of cigarettes from First Nations’ Reserves, insufficient enforcement and penalties, and organized crimin

The Smoking Cessation Interventions for Youth report explores the current state of knowledge about effective and promising interventions and practices in addressing smoking cessation among youth. The authors review the academic and grey literature to

This first OTRU RECIG newsletter provides updates on three ongoing RECIG study components: an ongoing knowledge synthesis; a report of findings from the most recent Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey; and an upcoming social media analysis. Th

The Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy Monitoring Report finds tobacco use among grade 12 youth remains steady at 6%, but smoking use among young adults remains high. These are some of the findings highlighted in this year’s Strategy Monitoring Report. This

OTRU’s Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy Monitoring Report Executive Summary provides a synopsis of the report’s comprehensive review of the progress of the province’s tobacco control initiatives. Related publication: 2014 Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy Monit

OTRU, together with the Well Living House at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health (CRICH), is studying how non-traditional tobacco use in Ontario’s Aboriginal communities can best be addressed through interventions. This update describes stud