New Journal Article: Air quality, mortality, and economic benefits of a smoke-free workplace law for non-smoking Ontario bar workers

The authors estimated the impact of a smoke-free workplace bylaw on non-smoking bar workers’ health in Ontario, Canada using measurement of bar workers’ urine cotinine before and after a 2004 smoke-free workplace bylaw and applying pharmacokinetic and epidemiological models to estimate bar workers’ annual mortality rate from workplace SHS exposure.

Abstract Link: Repace, James L.; Zhang, Bo; Bondy, Susan J.; Benowitz, Neal L.; Ferrence, Roberta. Air quality, mortality, and economic benefits of a smoke-free workplace law for non-smoking Ontario bar workers. Indoor Air April 2013;23(2):93-104.

Listen Again: PTCC/OTRU Collaborative Series Webinar

Waterpipe Smoking – An Increasing Issue for Public Health

Waterpipe smoking is becoming a growing public health concern. Listen again to presenter Dr. Roberta Ferrence as she discusses current patterns of use in Canada, explores evidence about the toxicity of waterpipe smoke, and presents preliminary findings from an observational study of waterpipe cafes in Toronto, Ontario. Go to our Webinar Archives page to view the slides and listen to the audio recording.

Recent CMAJ Article: Contraband Tobacco Use Hinders Smoking Cessation

People who smoke low-cost contraband cigarettes in Canada are less likely to stop smoking in the short term compared with people who smoke more expensive premium or discount cigarettes, according to a study published in CMAJ. During the first 6 months of the study, 19% of contraband cigarette smokers tried to quit compared with 30% of the other smokers. Eleven per cent of smokers of premium/discount cigarettes quit smoking for at least 30 days compared with only 4% of people who smoked contraband cigarettes.

The authors conclude that “in order to optimize the public health benefits of current and future tobacco control initiatives, innovative solutions that address the accessibility of contraband tobacco are urgently needed.”

Read the full article: Mecredy GC, Diemert LM, Callaghan RC, Cohen JE. Association between use of contraband tobacco and smoking cessation outcomes. CMAJ March 4, 2013.

OTRU and Partners Begin Smokers’ Panel Recruitment

The Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, in collaboration with the Ontario Lung Association and several partner service agencies, is launching a confidential Smokers’ Panel to gather information from current and former smokers that will help to develop future tobacco programs and services.

Read the Press Release | Go to the Smokers’ Panel website

Latest Publication – January 2013

• Evaluation News: Cessation Pathways: Exploring Opportunities for Developing a Coordinated Smoking Cessation System in Ontario

Recent Publications

• Strategy Evaluation Report:
  • 2012 Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy Evaluation Report – Full Report
  • 2012 Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy Evaluation Report – Executive Summary
• OTRU Update: Putting Thirdhand Smoke on the Policy and Research Agenda: Knowledge User Survey Results
• Special Report: Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies
• Special Report: Formative Evaluation of the Public Health Unit Youth Engagement Initiative–Brief Report