Since 2013, OTRU has provided local program planning and evaluation services for Smoke-Free Ontario partners though the Knowledge and Evaluation Support initiative. The services provided, challenges and outcomes are summarized. This centralized servi

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

Abstract: Introduction: The mediating role of cessation medications in the association between health professional advice and quitting behaviors is unclear. Methods: Data were from the Ontario Tobacco Survey longitudinal study, collected between July

This update provides an overview of OTRU’s Knowledge and Evaluation Support initiative for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. We highlight two projects supported by this initiative: Evaluation of the Amended Toronto Smoke-free Bylaws, and the Love My Life Ca

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

In collaboration with Toronto Public Health, OTRU conducted an evaluation of Toronto’s amended outdoor smoke-free bylaws. Findings suggest that the amended bylaws had a limited impact on smoking behaviour and exposure to secondhand smoke one year aft

Abstract: Objectives: The number of quit attempts it takes a smoker to quit successfully is a commonly reported figure among smoking cessation programmes, but previous estimates have been based on lifetime recall in cross-sectional samples of success

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

With limited population-level research, myths about smoking cessation persist. Research from the Ontario Tobacco Survey (OTS) has improved our understanding of smoking cessation in the general population. Key facts and findings are summarized, includ

Abstract: Tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death in Canada and is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tobacco use has declined in Canada from 50% in the 1960s to 19% in 2013, but the rate of decline

Abstract Background and Aims: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been steadily increasing in popularity among smokers, most of whom report using them to quit smoking. This study systematically reviews the current literature on the effectivenes

This newsletter focuses on the results from the RECIG Expert Panel, an international and multidisciplinary meeting with experts in tobacco control. Key conclusions from the Expert Panel relate to the health effects of e-cigarettes, their effectivenes

In this edition of the RETRAC newsletter, we hear from a community Peer Researcher about their RETRAC experience; learn about a Māori smoking reduction/cessation program that was identified in RETRAC’s 2015 knowledge synthesis; speak with two guest I

Tobacco control mass media campaigns are a key element of comprehensive tobacco control strategies. Over the past decade, 94% of Ontario smokers were exposed to tobacco control mass media, general tobacco media stories, or pharmaceutical ads. Exposur

Ontario has a diverse population with one third born outside Canada but little is known about how living in an immigrant neighbourhood affects smoking. Data from OTRU finds that Ontario smokers from neighbourhoods with high proportions of immigrants

In collaboration with public health units, OTRU conducted an evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act outdoor smoking regulations that banned smoking on restaurant/bar patios, playgrounds and sports fields effective January 1, 2015. Findings suggest

Abstract Objectives: Individuals seeking information about electronic cigarettes are increasingly turning to social media networks like Twitter. We surveyed dominant Twitter communications about e-cigarettes and smoking cessation, examining message s

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

This newsletter about the Research on Non-Traditional Tobacco Reduction in Aboriginal Communities (RETRAC) project includes an update on the RETRAC Knowledge Forum, which took place at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto in October, 2015. The RETRA

Social cohesion is “the extent of connectedness and solidarity among groups in society”. In Ontario, high social cohesion increased the odds of making a quit attempt regardless of whether smokers lived in deprived or affluent neighbourhoods. Ontario

In Canada, 9.1% of adult smokers are 65 years of age or older. They tend to be longer-term smokers, often with various health concerns and greater health care costs than nonsmokers their age. The majority of older smokers in Ontario are trying to qui