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.
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.
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.
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

Knowledge Exchange is integral to our work. Learn more about OTRU’s knowledge exchange initiatives.
OTRU can help you with your research and evaluation needs if you are a Smoke-Free Ontario stakeholder working on tobacco-related projects. To learn more about this service visit our Smoke-Free Ontario Partner Research & Evaluation Support page.
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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.
Mecredy GC, Diemert LM, Callaghan RC, Cohen JE. Association between use of contraband tobacco and smoking cessation outcomes. CMAJ. March 4, 2013. PDF and Full Text available for free.
Diemert LM, Bondy SJ, Brown KS, Manske S. Young adult smoking cessation: Predictors of quit attempts and abstinence. American Journal of Public Health. Published Online First: 17 January 2013.

