ACT (Alliance for the Control of Tobacco) is a partnership of both government and non-government organizations, dedicated to reducing the negative health, economic, and environmental effects of tobacco use in Newfoundland & Labrador. Together with its partners, ACT is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring a Tobacco Reduction Strategy which sets out a coordinated plan for … Read more About
To visit ACT’s Vaping website please go to http://www.truthaboutvaping.ca To raise awareness among junior and senior high school students about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping, ACT in partnership with the NL English School District has developed vaping awareness resources for schools. Using a comprehensive school health approach the campaign targets youth, educators and parents. … Read more Vaping Resources
Quitting smoking is the best thing smokers can do to improve their life and health. Former smokers live longer than those who continue to smoke. The health benefits of quitting occur for all types of smokers, men and women, young and old. Many people who smoke, know all about the dangers of smoking. They probably … Read more Why Quit?
May 31, 2023 is World No Tobacco Day. It is a day chosen by the World Health Organization to bring attention to tobacco and vaping issues around the world. This year ACT and its partners have developed an infographic (also available in French) to be shared with all students and parents around the Province reminding them about the problems and concerns with youth vaping. Together we can make a difference!
Health Canada is pleased to announce the launch of a micro-grant funding initiative to support innovative public education projects on the health effects of cannabis or vaping.
Micro-grant funding is a new way for the Government of Canada to fund smaller projects of up to $1,000.
Eligible recipients are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are 16 years and older and not-for-profit organizations. This funding has a streamlined application process and recipients are required to post the results of their projects on social media using our project hashtags, #cannabis or #vaping.
Cannabis Public Education
As part of ongoing cannabis public education and awareness efforts, Health Canada will dedicate $100,000 in fiscal year 2021-2022, towards projects that help raise youth awareness of the health effects of cannabis.
Vaping Public Education
As part of the public education campaign about the consequences of vaping, Health Canada will dedicate $100,000 in fiscal year 2021-2022, towards projects that help raise awareness on the harms and risks of vaping product use among youth.
Application and Assessment
Projects must involve youth and/or young adults in their development and implementation, and demonstrate a positive impact on their youth target audience and how they have the potential to raise awareness about the health effects of either cannabis or vaping. Applications will be accepted starting immediately, with a deadline of December 6, 2021. Project selection will give consideration to fair geographical and audience distribution.
We are pleased to launch the final year of this exciting program and we hope that you will consider sharing this with your networks and encouraging your networks to apply for this funding. We all have a role to play in public education on cannabis and vaping.
For additional information and to complete an application for micro-funding, please visit the Substance Use and Addictions Program’s website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/canadian-drugs-substances-strategy/funding/substance-use-addictions-program/microfunding-cannabis-vaping-education.html
ACT has released a new strategy outlining actions and initiatives designed to reduce the harms of tobacco and vaping on the people of the province. The Tobacco and Vaping Reduction Strategy 2021 is informed by consultations with partners and organizations around the province and builds on the successes of previous Tobacco Reduction Strategies developed and implemented by ACT. It calls on organizations, individuals and all levels of government to play a role in reducing the negative health, economic and environmental effects of tobacco use and vaping on our population. This strategy is an online document only and can be seen and/or downloaded here on the ACT website or by emailing melissamoore@actnf.com.
This years theme is all about youth and the Tobacco Industry. According to the WHO “…The global campaign will debunk myths and expose devious tactics employed by these industries. It will provide young people with the knowledge required to easily detect industry manipulation and equip them with the tools to rebuff such tactics, thereby empowering young people to stand up against them. This is especially important right now as studies show that smokers have a higher risk for a severe case of coronavirus. WHO calls on all young people to join the fight to become a tobacco-free generation.” Read more here.
The World Health Organization has issued a statement about smoking and the risks of Covid-19. More information can be found at the WHO website. ACT reminds everyone who is smoking or vaping to NOT SHARE their devices, and for everyone in our Province to maintain social distancing, wash your hands and practice proper sneeze and cough etiquette. Together we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from Covid-19.
The number of youth vaping in Newfoundland and Labrador has rapidly increased. Recent data from the 2018-19 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Survey (CSTADS), clearly indicates that vaping among youth in this province is reaching a crisis level. A total of 47% of the province’s students in grades 7-12 have tried vaping, with almost 30% of those students using vapes in the last 30 days. This is much higher than the Canadian rate, and in fact, the rates in this province are among the highest in the country.
With this in mind, ACT has developed and launched a new advertising campaign about the harms and risks associated with vaping: The New Look of Nicotine Addiction.
The goal of the campaign, which is aimed at parents, trusted adults and other youth influencers, is to educate them about the harms and risks of vaping among youth and to encourage conversation with teens about vaping. Further, this campaign will provide information about vaping products, including the fact that they contain harmful chemicals (less harm does not mean harmless); that the devices come in a variety of different sizes, types, colours and flavours that are not always recognizable and that e-cigarettes contain nicotine which can alter teen brain development and youth being targeted by the vaping industry. Commencing on February 12, 2020, the campaign will be visible on social media, and in the coming days in online and billboard advertising. Visit www.truthaboutvaping.ca for more information.
During October and November, 2019, ACT developed and presented a youth and vaping webinar for health, education, mental health and addictions and community professionals. This webinar was presented three separate times and was attended by over 500 professionals from across the Province! Special thanks to Tanya Barnes-Matthews, Regional Health Educator at Western Health for taking the lead on these events. While the webinar was not recorded the slide deck with speaking notes can be found here
Recently, there has been an emergence of severe pulmonary illness related to vaping in the United States and in Canada. To date, investigations into this issue suggests that products containing THC play a role in this outbreak. The suspected cause is a chemical exposure, but the specific chemicals remain unknown at this time.
As of October 2019 information on this issue has been released by Health Canada and The CDC, and the Canadian Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health.
The Tobacco Use in Canada Report for 2019 has recently been released. This report is part of a series of reports on tobacco use in Canada. It was developed by the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact at the University of Waterloo. The report uses data from national surveys conducted by Health Canada and Statistics Canada to summarize the main patterns and trends in tobacco use in Canada, primarily since 1999, with a focus on the most current data available.
On May 1, 2019 the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, announced new regulations for plain and standardized appearance of tobacco packages and products will begin to come into force on November 9, 2019.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco 