The Ontario Tobacco Survey: Raising the Standard for Evaluation

The Ontario Tobacco Research Unit has launched a new provincial survey monitoring tobacco use and opinions about tobacco control to inform the progress of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy. The Ontario Tobacco Survey is a major cross-sectional and panel study—one of a few truly longitudinal studies of smokers in Canada or elsewhere. The study will focus on attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs about tobacco, the factors that influence smoking cessation, and exposure to smoking-related government policies and programs. OTRU will track changes over time in participants’ thoughts, feelings, behaviours and experiences relevant to tobacco use and secondhand smoke.