Studies focus on why teenagers smoke and the impact of second-hand smoke on children

Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), today announced, in partnership with the Canadian Tobacco Control Research Initiative (CTCRI), four new innovative research projects on tobacco control, during National Non-Smoking Week.

These projects will examine smoking habits among teenagers, the impact of tobacco controls in Calgary health care facilities, how families with young children deal with second-hand smoke, and the relationship between the tobacco industry and advertising industry.

“Smoking kills 45,000 Canadians a year, making it the number one cause of preventable death in Canada,” said Minister Rock. “These innovative projects are examples of the commitment of our government to address this serious health issue.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to reducing tobacco consumption and improving the health of all Canadians,” said Minister of Health, Anne McLellan. “Our strategy is focussed on reducing smoking among our youth. These research projects provide a positive contribution to Canada's youth education programs so that fewer young people become addicted to tobacco.”

“High-quality research of this kind can have a significant impact on tobacco control policies in Canada,” said CTCRI Director, Cheryl Moyer. “By illuminating our understanding of tobacco control issues, this research will help smokers to quit, deter others from starting and protect non-smokers.”

These four projects received over $500,000 in funding through the CTCRI - the core partners of which are SSHRC, the Canadian Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, and Health Canada. The CTCRI aims to increase the relevance of research in advancing program and policy agendas and to stimulate more research on tobacco control, thereby reducing the prevalence of tobacco use.

Highlights of the innovative research projects announced today:

The Calgary Regional Health Authority intends to implement a tobacco control policy that will eliminate smoking anywhere on the property of its 32 health care facilities. Dr. Penelope Hawe, of the University of Calgary, will evaluate how the policy is communicated and carried out. She will also document the influence of these tobacco control measures on other major employers in the province.
Research suggests that youth take their cues about smoking from a wide variety of sources, including family, friends, teachers, school anti-smoking programs, television and movies. This research project will follow students in British Columbia over three years as new federal regulations and anti-smoking measures gain momentum. Led by Dr. Robert Sparks of the University of British Columbia, the project will help determine the effectiveness of the anti-smoking message and will give health care officials a better understanding of whether and how well new regulations are working.
The topic of tobacco control in the home is increasingly politically charged. Opponents raise concerns about loss of personal freedoms while supporters argue that regulations to protect children from second-hand smoke in the home do not differ substantially from laws that protect children from physical and sexual abuse. Dr. Donna Stewart, who is with the University Health Network at Toronto General Hospital, will lead an in-depth study of how couples with children negotiate and decide upon-or against-household smoking arrangements.
Traditionally, North American tobacco firms have been prolific advertisers. Dr. Daniel Robinson, of The University of Western Ontario, will examine the roles and social responsibility of tobacco companies and their collaborators in the advertising industry. This research project will also offer a critique of recent 'stealth marketing' activities that seek to circumvent the legal controls on tobacco advertising.

Note to editors: SSHRC is an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research and graduate training in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC-funded research helps Canadians innovate and compete, maintain their quality of life and understand a rapidly changing world.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

The National Cancer Institute of Canada's mission is to undertake and support research and related programs in Canada that will lead to reduction of the incidence, morbidity and mortality from cancer. The NCIC receives about 75 per cent of its funds from the Canadian Cancer Society and 25 per cent from The Terry Fox Foundation.

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For more information, please contact:

Rachel Brown

Bilingual Communications Specialist

Canadian Cancer Society / National Cancer Institute of Canada

Phone: (416) 934-5681

Doré Dunne

Media & Public Relations Officer

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Phone: (613) 992-7302

Andrew Swift

Media Relations

Health Canada

Phone: (613) 957-2988

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