Research Letter Introduction Research on the implications of menthol cigarette bans is crucial to inform evidence-based decision-making and policy changes.1,2 In Canada, a series of provincial bans were implemented starting in May 2015, until a feder

With support from Health Canada, and in partnership with Physicians for Smoke Free Canada’s project “Addressing Knowledge Gaps Important to Tobacco Control”, OTRU has completed three reports about policy options for regulating vaping in Canada. Each

This report focuses on options for e cigarette flavour regulations, focusing on a range of regulatory policies regarding e cigarette flavours that could curtail development of dependence and possible uptake of smoking by young non-smokers. The report

This report presents a synthesis of findings from public opinion research to review current approaches to vaping advertisements and marketing. The report touches on motivating factors for vape use, which precedes sections detailing participants’

This report presents a synthesis of findings from public opinion research to review the role of vape flavours in vaping use. The report identifies the influence of flavours in initial and continued vape use for groups with varying exposure to vaping

This report presents a synthesis of findings from public opinion research that review causes for first-time use of tobacco and vaping products. This includes motivating factors for use (device features, available flavours, social benefits, cost, and

This Project News update provides an overview of recent work produced under a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Research on E-Cigarettes and Waterpipe Health System Research Fund, including: Abstracts of four articles tha

Abstract Objectives The province of Ontario, Canada, banned the use of menthol-flavoured tobacco products as of 1 January 2017. The long-term impact of a menthol ban on smoking behaviour has not been previously evaluated. Methods Population cohort st

This newsletter reports on vaping products available in the Canadian market that appear to connote confectionery, dessert and soft drink flavours. Several other examples also appear to appeal to young persons, such as those with design elements that

While vaping, or e-cigarette use, might help adults quit smoking, the rapid uptake of these products by youth is alarming and raises concerns about the net public health benefit of vaping. OTRU’s RECIG-WP project conducted focus groups to gather insi

Abstract Background Menthol in cigarettes has been shown to increase regular cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, and decrease success in smoking cessation. Owing to these reasons, in May 2015, the province of Ontario introduced a menthol ban o

Abstract Objective: We examined menthol cigarette smokers’ reactions to Ontario’s menthol cigarette ban. Methods: In April 2017, past-year adult menthol cigarette smokers from Ontario, Canada (N = 67; 64.2% women) participated in an onlin

Abstract Background: As of 1 January 2017, the Canadian province of Ontario banned the distribution and sale of menthol tobacco products. There is limited knowledge about how tobacco companies will adapt their packaging in response to a menthol ban.

Abstract The province of Ontario, Canada, implemented a full menthol cigarette ban on January 1, 2017. To date, there has been no population-wide, systematic evaluation of the association of the implementation of a menthol ban with smoker behavior. A

Ontario’s ban on menthol flavouring in tobacco was one of the first internationally. OTRU is evaluating the impacts of this cutting edge regulation. The ban on menthol in tobacco products was found to be associated with quitting behaviour, and potent

Abstract Background: The province of Ontario, Canada implemented a ban on menthol in all forms of tobacco products that came into effect January 1st, 2017. This presentation examines changes in behaviour among a cohort of menthol smokers as part of t

Abstract The US Food and Drug Administration concluded that a ban on menthol cigarettes would likely elicit a reduction in cigarette consumption, increased cessation and reduced initiation of smoking. Understanding how the tobacco industry prepared f

In 2016/2017, OTRU, in collaboration with key stakeholders, assessed the implementation and impact of new tobacco and e-cigarette policy measures being implemented in Ontario. This report provides an overview of key findings, focusing on implementati

Abstract Menthol cigarettes are associated with increased initiation and progression to regular smoking and decreased likelihood of smoking cessation. Menthol smokers are more likely to be women and adolescents in several countries. The Conference of

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

Abstract Objectives: Current estimates indicate that cigarillo use has become commonplace among young adults in Canada despite the established risks to health. However, little else is known about patterns of cigarillo use in this subpopulation. The i