Government of Canada to support at-risk Canadians to prevent and reduce tobacco use

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is committed to preventing chronic diseases and promoting healthy living in Canadians. To this end, it has provided over $5,266,593 to three organizations to promote the prevention and cessation of tobacco use across Canada.

November 30, 2021

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is committed to preventing chronic diseases and promoting healthy living in Canadians. To this end, it has provided over $5,266,593 to three organizations to promote the prevention and cessation of tobacco use across Canada.

This funding, provided through PHAC's Multi Sectoral Partnerships (MSP) program will provide at-risk Canadians with the tools and resources needed to quit smoking and reduce their risk of tobacco-related chronic diseases.

Current Recipients and Project Descriptions

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI)
Tobacco Dependence Management for Marginalized Populations: A Whole Person Comprehensive Approach
PHAC funding: $3,312,974

At-risk populations including Indigenous, racialized, lower income, and street-involved individuals experience higher rates of tobacco use and greater tobacco-related health conditions. This project will engage, empower, and treat at-risk populations in Toronto and Ottawa by providing on-site availability of nicotine replacement therapy, counseling with a smoking cessation and mental health nurse, ongoing peer support, peer-led life-skills workshops, and community-building activities.

The aim of this project is for participants to experience improved overall health, decreased coughing and shortness of breath, reduced risk of chronic disease, and an increased life expectancy. Community partnerships will play an important role in this project by providing prevention and treatment.

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute's mandate is to advance knowledge of health and disease on multiple fronts, ranging from increasing understanding of what is happening at the molecular and cellular level in complex disease states, to clarifying best practices in the delivery of health care.

Southwestern Public Health
Smoking Cessation Partnership Model
PHAC funding: $1,245,169

This project will encourage smoking cessation in priority populations living with a low income and/or mental health diagnosis in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas, Ontario. Working with key community partners, participants will receive counselling to quit smoking through behaviour change methods like motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy.

The project will include activities organized by community partners and smoking cessation counselling and nicotine replacement therapy from participating pharmacies. The project will teach participants the skills and behaviours needed to quit smoking, and adopt and maintain healthier behaviours leading to chronic disease reduction.

Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) works with municipalities, community agencies, health and social services, schools, and other local partners to ensure the health of the residents of Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas. Their programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness and disease; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health for everyone. They deliver mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and are regulated by the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Physical and Health Education Canada
STOMP - Students Together Moving to Prevent (STOMP) Tobacco Use
PHAC funding: $708,450

This project will help students in grade 7-12 in several provinces and in the Yukon understand the influences around tobacco use and encourage informed decision-making about tobacco consumption. Student Action Teams will plan activities aimed at decreasing students' susceptibility to tobacco use and their intentions to try tobacco, and increasing students' knowledge and understanding of the benefits of living smoke free.

Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) empowers the PHE Community with quality programs, professional development services, and community activations to ensure equitable access to the benefits of quality physical and health education and healthy learning environments. By promoting and advancing quality physical and health education and healthy learning environments, PHE Canada helps ensure each and every child and youth in Canada has the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to lead resilient, active, and healthy lives.