Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110909

Nicole Dedobbeleer, ScD, André-Pierre Contandriopoulos, PhD, and Alfreda Krupoves, MD, MSc. Health Administration, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada, (514) 343-5631, nicole.dedobbeleer@umontreal.ca

Policies aimed at controlling youth access to tobacco are an important strategy used to reduce youth smoking. A review of the literature leads, however, to the conclusion that the evidence regarding the impact of youth access tobacco control legislation on youth smoking behaviour is mixed and inconclusive. The objective of this presentation is to assess the comprehensivess and restrictiveness of laws on youth access to tobacco in three Canadian provinces (Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia) from 1978 to 2003 and to determine the relationship of youth smoking behaviour to youth access tobacco control legislation. We adapted Alciati et al. (1998) rating system to assess the comprehensiveness and restrictiveness of the Canadian laws. Data on smoking status were derived from selected national surveys conducted in Canada from 1978 to 2003. Results show that the current smoking prevalence of youth aged 15-19 decreased in all Canadian provinces except Quebec, from 1999 to 2003. British Columbia has still the lowest rate of smoking (16%). Results further indicate the significant improvement in laws restricting youth access to tobacco over time but also that the three provinces differed in the comprehensiveness and extensiveness of their laws. They also highlight some weaknesses. The importance of comprehensive and restrictive laws for increasing prevention and cessation of smoking among youth will be discussed in relationship to their implementation and enforcement and also other tobacco control strategies shown to be effective in reducing population smoking.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to articulate a procedure for assessing the comprehensiveness and restrictiveness of laws on youth access to tobacco. They will also be able to discuss the relationship between these laws and the prevalence of youth smoking.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.