Smoke Free Ontario Modernization

The Issue

In May 2017, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care established a multidisciplinary Executive Steering Committee (ESC) to advise on the modernization of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy. The ultimate goal of the ESC is to recommend actions, policies, protocols and tactics that will result in decreasing the prevalence of smoking in the province from its current level of 17 per cent to less than 5 per cent by 2035.

The ESC will be issuing a bold and comprehensive report for the Minister of Health that aims to influence health and public policy. While the final report will focus primarily on tobacco use, it will also comment on strategies to consider regarding the use of other emerging inhaled substances, such as shisha and cannabis. The report will ultimately inform a broader public consultation anticipated for launch in late summer or early fall 2017.

Our Role

As a member of the ESC, the Ontario Pharmacists Association is working to ensure that your interests are brought to the forefront. This includes removing barriers that block pharmacists’ ability to offer smoking cessation services to all people who smoke, irrespective of age. The Association is also working to ensure that all pharmacists, regardless of their practice location, are enabled and supported in the provision of the full range of smoking cessation services.

Status

Updates will be shared as they become available.