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New Directions in Tobacco Control

Presentation to alPHa February 25, 2010

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Purpose

1. To outline major components of the New Directions in Tobacco Control

2. To highlight next steps

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Tobacco control is a strategic focus for MHP

• Tobacco use continues to be a leading cause of preventable disease and death in Ontario.

• Over 1.7 million Ontarians still smoke.

• The economic impact of tobacco use in Ontario is an estimated $6.1 billion.

• Tobacco use is highly correlated with other chronic diseases including: heart, pulmonary and respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer.

• Smoking rates remain high among certain populations:o 61% of First Nations girls and 47% of Aboriginal boys age 15 – 17 smokeo Prevalence of tobacco use is higher among young adults than any other

age group in Ontarioo Prevalence among blue collar workers in Ontario is more than twice that

of white-collar workers

• The tobacco industry estimates contraband represents approx. 23% -50% of market. Contraband/illegal cigarettes market has an impact on accessibility.

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• New Targets: Ontario risks losing ground. Need new targets/plan.

• Economic and health benefits: Billions of dollars in direct health care costs and lost productivity, measurable impacts on related conditions (diabetes, asthma, heart disease).

• Smoking rates have leveled off: A new approach is needed to achieve further reductions.

• Some populations are at increased risk: e.g., Aboriginal, low SES, young males.

• Smoking Cessation: Cessation programs reach only 4% of smokers annually, although 600,000 smokers in Ontario plan to quit in next 30 days. Need integrated and sustainable system.

• Contraband: The rising use of low-cost illegal tobacco has removed tobacco tax increases from the tobacco control toolkit, fuelling increased tobacco use in the most price-sensitive segments (e.g., youth).

New Directions in Tobacco Control:Why a Renewed Strategy?

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New Directions in Tobacco Control

Objectives:• Develop a comprehensive 5-year government-wide strategy • Engage stakeholders and partners in its development and

implementation

A Government-wide strategy will allow Ontario to:• Better coordinate tobacco control interventions. • Develop a more comprehensive/integrated cessation system • Maximize the outcomes of MHP’s current investments and leverage

new investments. Better link tobacco control with other government commitments including chronic disease prevention and other relevant government strategies.

• Better coordinate messaging and communications.

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Strategy Development

1. Reviewing the evidence

• Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion has been contracted by MHP to convene Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) to provide a report on scientific and technical input/evidence to inform new strategy

• Report will feature results of consultations led by SAC with tobacco stakeholders

• Report will be provided to MHP on March 31

• Ontario Tobacco Research Unit (OTRU) providing statistics and other research support

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Strategy Development continued…

2. Input from stakeholders/working groups

• MHP has established a Tobacco Strategy Advisory Group (TSAG) to provide advice in strategy development.

o Will review/discuss changes in tobacco control environment since the original SFO Strategy was initiated, evidence-based findings of the Scientific Advisory Committee, and, where appropriate, the work undertaken by other related working groups or advisory groups

o Short-term committee (one year)

o Made up of NGOs (eg: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario), health HR organizations (eg: Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Ontario Medical Association), research organizations (eg: OTRU), TCANs and Health Units (Dr. Robert Kyle and Dr. Hazel Lynn represent COMOH).

o Co-Chaired by Jean Lam (MHP) and Dr. George Pasut (Cancer Care Ontario)

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Strategy Development continued…

3. Involving other Ministries

• ADMs’ Inter-Ministerial Committee on Tobacco Control (ICTC):

• Members:

o Ministry of Health Promotion (Chair)

o Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

o Ministry of the Attorney General (Litigation)

o Ministries of Revenue, Finance (Contraband strategy, taxation)

o Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Conversion of tobacco growers)

o Ministry of Labour (workplace)

o Ministry of Education (youth, prevention)

o Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs

o Ministry of Government Services (Services available to OPS employees)

o Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

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Strategy Development continued…

4. Development of New Directions in Tobacco Control Strategy

• Input from Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion/Scientific Advisory Committee, Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, Tobacco Strategy Advisory Group, ADM’s Inter-ministerial Committee on Tobacco Control and other working groups will inform development of Strategy

• Project team policy staff reviewing tobacco control goals and strategies of other jurisdictions, enforcement activities, possible information gaps in work of SAC and TSAG that will need to be addressed

• Target date for Strategy to be developed for government’s consideration: June 2010