Tobacco
Although tobacco use has declined, it is important to inform students about the harmful effects of smoking and second hand smoke. Today, about 7% of Ontario students in Grades 7 to 12 have smoked cigarettes in the past year, with only 2% smoking every day. Tobacco can come in other forms, including chewing tobacco (5%), water pipes or hookahs (6%). Electronic cigarettes, which may or may not contain nicotine, have been used by about 11% of Grades 7 to 12 Ontario students in the past year.
Comprehensive tobacco control can be talked about as a way to promote healthy living for your students. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (2017) prohibits smoking or vaping in any enclosed workplace, any enclosed public place, or any places designated as smoke-free or vape free (smoking refers to inhaling and exhaling or holding lighted tobacco or cannabis, either medical or recreational. Vaping refers to inhaling or exhaling or holding an activated e-cigarette whether the vapour contains nicotine or not). This includes indoor spaces, outdoor grounds, and public areas within 20 metres of any public or private school. Individuals smoking or vaping in any area where it is prohibited to do so may be subject to a fine and charged with an offence.
It is illegal for anyone to smoke in a car if a child under 16 is present. Second-hand smoke in a vehicle can be up to 27 times more concentrated than in a smoker's home. Second-hand smoke can also influence a child's ability to reason and understand, and can negatively impact a student's behaviour and attention span.
School Events
Visit School Events to find out about both elementary and secondary programs to engage students in the topic of tobacco.
Curriculum resources
To order any of the following curriculum resources, please contact the Resource Centre.
Elementary school resources |
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Secondary school resources |
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Additional resources
Tobacco useful links:
- Break It Off - This website contains facts, tips, and strategies that are designed to help youth and young adults stop smoking and stay quit. A free app is available for android and iPhones.
- Canadian Lung Association - Provides information for those looking to quit smoking including the benefits of quitting, where to get support, and how to manage withdrawal symptoms. Can be used a resource for students.
- Know What's In Your Mouth - This website is specific to smokeless/chewing tobacco. It includes videos, posters, and information to show that smokeless doesn't mean harmless.
- Ophea's Smoke-Free Ontario Pilot Program - Ophea - As part of the Smoke Free Ontario (SFO) project, Ophea and the Youth Advocacy Training Institute (YATI) have developed an Ideas for Action guide that provides a collection of activities that can be used in schools and communities to support tobacco prevention efforts. The guide also includes communication strategies to help spread the word about what schools and communities have been doing.
- Quit 4 Life - Health Canada - This smoking cessation program is organized around four central steps: Get Psyched, Get Smart, Get Support, Get On With It. The handbook will help users learn about why they smoke, how to quit and how to stay quit. Handbooks are available to order in print or downloadable format.
- Smoke Free Movies - This website raises awareness about the harmful impact of smoking in movies. It can be used by students as part of a class activity or project. Students can also use it to become an advocate against smoking in movies. Research has shown that the more youth see smoking in movies, the more likely they are to start.