Youth Exposure to Tobacco in Movies in Ontario, Canada: 2004-2016

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 adds results for 2015 and 2016 and found that the landscape of onscreen tobacco exposure among Ontario youth was similar to those documented in our previous reports. Estimates of the impact of the exposure in terms of new smokers recruited, their tobacco associated mortality and healthcare costs will be updated when smoking prevalence data is available.

Research on Electronic Cigarettes and Waterpipe (RECIG-WP)

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has grown exponentially and the use of waterpipes is on the rise, especially among youth and young adults. Concerns surround initiation of these products among youth and young adults, and the relationship of these products to tobacco cigarette and marijuana use. Large gaps exist in scientific knowledge about the use, health risks/effects and marketing of e-cigarettes and waterpipe. OTRU will conduct research on e-cigarettes and waterpipe to investigate these issues through a 3-year grant awarded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Health System Research Fund.

Research on Advancing Cessation Treatment (REACT)

Despite declining prevalence of smoking in Ontario in the last few decades, rates of smoking cessation have not increased significantly in the last few years. OTRU will conduct Research on Advancing Cessation Treatment (REACT) to study the urgent need to improve cessation outcomes by providing better understanding of the actual versus potential impact of cessation services in Ontario through a 3-year grant awarded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Health System Research Fund.

OTRU Updates Scientific Advisory Committee Report (SAC2)

OTRU establishes the Smoke-Free Ontario Scientific Advisory Group (SFOSAG) and updates the SAC Report. Using the same approach as the SAC2 Report, OTRU scientists are now routinely appraising new evidence as it is published and proposing changes where needed to the SAC2 Report. OTRU has launched the Smoke-Free Ontario Scientific Advisory Group (SFOSAG) to achieve scientific agreement on proposed changes. Twenty-one scientists from across Ontario participated in the first SFOSAG meeting on March 28th, 2017. Read more….

OTRU Launches the Ontario Tobacco Research Network (OTRN)

OTRU has established the Ontario Tobacco Research Network (OTRN) in order to provide a platform for Ontario tobacco control researchers to share research in progress, provide and receive input on ongoing studies, identify research gaps, facilitate collaboration and enable trainees to both learn and gain experiencing in presenting their work. Twenty-one scientists and three trainees from 11 organizations across Ontario participated in the first OTRN meeting on March 28th, 2017. Read more….

E-Cigarettes: To Vape or Not To Vape?

Should non-smokers vape? Is vaping less harmful than smoking? Can smokers quit by using e-cigarettes?

More information about OTRU’s research on e-cigarettes can be found on our e-cigarette research page. You many also be interested in our review in N&TR. Malas M, van der Tempel J, Schwartz R, Minichiello A, Lightfoot C, Noormohamed A, et al. (2016). Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: A systematic review. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 18(10), 1926-1936.

Animation thanks to Dan DePeuter, Thunder Bay District Health Unit.