In this newsletter, we report on recent findings, centred on advertising and promotion, from our Research on E-Cigarette and Waterpipe Health System Research Fund project. Specifically, results from our Youth and Young Adult Longitudinal survey, our

Abstract Introduction The legalization of nonmedical cannabis in 2018 may have important implications for tobacco use in Canada. There is a risk of renormalizing tobacco use with co-use of tobacco and cannabis introducing nontobacco users to tobacco.

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

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: Recently, the US Institute of Medicine has proposed that raising the minimum age for tobacco purchasing/sales to 21 years would likely lead to reductions in smoking behavior among young people. Surprisingly few studies, however,

E-cigarettes are now being aggressively marketed at point-of-sale in convenience stores as well as in vape shops, with and without claims about health effects and about smoking cessation effectiveness. Our research suggests that e-cigarettes are bein

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

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

Abstract: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number FP00003667. The US Food and Drug Administration concluded that a ban on menthol cigarettes w

Since 2015, OTRU has been conducting an ongoing formative evaluation to assess the implementation and impact of the outdoor Smoke-Free Ontario Act smoking regulations. This report presents findings from data collected in 2016-2017 and includes a summ

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

Abstract Smoking cigarettes is, without question, bad for your health. But can we say for certain that smoking marijuana is as harmful? Perhaps not for certain, but it is a safe bet according to the available evidence. Studies have shown that smoking

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

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

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

Abstract Support for a public health approach to cannabis policy as an alternative to prohibition and criminalization is gaining momentum. Recent drug policy changes in the United States suggest growing political feasibility for legal regulation of c

The majority of smokers begin smoking in their teens or early twenties. Raising the legal age of access to tobacco to age 21 has the potential to impact positively on future smoking prevalence and health outcomes. This update outlines reasons to cons

The fourth in the series of 2014-2015 newsletters from OTRU’s Knowledge and Evaluation Support Team provides a summary of activities and project progress this year, and highlights evaluation activities related to amendments to the City of Toronto byl

Abstract Objective To examine the effect of varying levels of comprehensive tobacco control on smoking in a global context. Methods Using data from WHO’s Reports on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, scatter plots were produced to visualise the relat

Abstract Objectives: Smoke-free policies not only reduce harm to non-smokers, they may also reduce harm to smokers by decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked and increasing the likelihood of a successful quit attempt. However, little is known abou

This newsletter is the third of a series from OTRU’s Evaluation Support Team outlining OTRU’s evaluation and research services for Ontario’s Public Health Units, Tobacco Control Area Networks, and other tobacco Transfer Payment Agencies. The newslett

Programs that effectively disrupt tobacco sales to minors have been shown to reduce smoking among youth. This report reviews the literature to identify the factors that are associated with vendor compliance and to explore the strategies and practices

In recent years in Canada and in other countries, the tobacco industry has increasingly used flavours as part of a marketing strategy to make tobacco products more attractive, especially for youth and young adults. This update summarizes current legi

Comprehensive tobacco control includes age-related restrictions on access to tobacco products. These restrictions target young people who, as a group, are vulnerable to smoking initiation. This update reviews youth access provisions by provincial, te

Litigation against the tobacco industry is any attempt to challenge the tobacco industry through judicial process. This update summarizes healthcare cost recovery legislation and litigation against the tobacco industry, by Canadian provincial and ter

The health risks of second hand smoke (SHS) are now well established; in many places, including the province of Ontario, most indoor public places such as workplaces, bars, and restaurants are covered under smoke-free ordinances. People in outdoor en

Abstract We estimated the impact of a smoke-free workplace bylaw on non-smoking bar workers’ health in Ontario, Canada. We measured bar workers’ urine cotinine before (n = 99) and after (n = 91) a 2004 smoke-free workplace bylaw. Using ph

Comprehensive tobacco control includes prohibition of tobacco sales in specific places in order to decrease the physical availability of tobacco products. This Update discusses current legislation in Ontario about where tobacco products can be sold,

This update reviews current bans under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and concludes that protection from secondhand smoke in Ontario is comparable to that of other Canadian jurisdictions, except for those with a complete ban on smoking on open patios. Th

This newsletter presents summary findings on tobacco use, cessation, prevention and protection from the Comprehensive Mid-Term Strategy Progress Report (the Mid-Term Report). The information presented provides an overview only. Related publications:

Taxation is a policy tool used to increase the retail price of tobacco products in order to decrease their economic accessibility. This update summarizes the amount of tax on cigarettes and roll your own tobacco by provincial, territorial and federal

Comprehensive tobacco control includes prohibition of tobacco sales in specific places in order to decrease the physical availability of tobacco products. A key aspect of availability is outlet density, meaning how many places sell tobacco per unit o

Comprehensive tobacco control includes prohibition of tobacco sales in specific places in order to decrease the physical availability of tobacco products. This Update discusses current legislation in Ontario and elsewhere about where tobacco products

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition to causing heart disease, cancer and premature death in nonsmoking adults, secondhand premature death in nonsmoking adults, secondhand smoke also causes sudden infant death syndrome,

Comprehensive tobacco control includes age-related restrictions on access to tobacco products. These restrictions target young people who, as a group, are vulnerable to smoking initiation. This update reviews youth access provisions by provincial, te

This is the fourth in a series of reports about the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA). The design of the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act comprises four components that include a province-wide compliance surv

Retail display refers to the visible presence of tobacco products and accessories at the point of sale. The tobacco industry uses powerwalls, countertop displays, signage and product accessories like brand-name lighters to communicate with customers.

Abstract Background: The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) came into effect in May 2006 and included restrictions to outdoor hospitality areas by only permitting smoking on a patio if the area had no roof. Objectives: (1) To assess the impact of the SFOA

Abstract Many studies have evaluated the impact of indoor smoking bans on secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. No studies have assessed the impact of a smoking ban on SHS in enclosed areas outside separately ventilated, designated smoking rooms (DSRs). T

Retail display refers to the visible presence of tobacco products and accessories at the point of sale. The tobacco industry uses powerwalls, countertop displays, signage and product accessories like brand-name lighters to communicate with customers.