May 3, 1999
To:Board of Health
From:Dr. Sheela Basrur, Medical Officer of Health
Subject:Renewal of the Ontario Tobacco Strategy
Purpose:
To advise the Board of Health on recent steps taken by the Province to strengthen tobacco
control and prevention in Ontario.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the Board write to the Ontario Minister of Health to acknowledge her efforts to renew the
Ontario Tobacco Strategy and to urge her to ensure early implementation of the remaining
recommendations from the Expert Panel; and
(2)that the Board's position be communicated to City Council, to local MPP's in the
Toronto area, and to the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (ALPHA) in the form of
a draft resolution on this matter.
Background and Comments:
In late 1998, the Ontario Minister of Health commissioned an Expert Panel on the Renewal of
the Ontario Tobacco Strategy. The Panel's purpose was "to study tobacco control initiatives in
other jurisdictions and make recommendations on a new approach for the province, consistent
with the government's objective to make Ontario the best place to live, work and raise a
family" (1). The Panel was chaired by Dr. Mary Jane Ashley, Professor in Public Health
Sciences at the University of Toronto, and its members represented an impressive array of
Canadian experts in tobacco prevention and control.
On April 23, 1999, the Minister of Health released the government's response (Attachment 1)
to the Final Report of the Expert Panel (Attachment 2). The response includes $10 million for
school-based prevention and cessation in year one, possibly growing to $50 million in year
four. A substantial portion of these funds are believed to be allocated for local public health
units.
The Minister also made a series of general commitments to review provincial and federal
initiatives related to tobacco pricing, packaging, marketing and sale. The government will also
initiate legal action against tobacco manufacturers to recover health costs caused by tobacco
products. Unfortunately, there is no clear commitment by the government to implement the
Panel's primary recommendation, which is to raise tobacco prices through higher taxes
(Ontario prices are currently the lowest in comparison with the rest of Canada and U.S. border
states). As well, there appears to be a substantial reliance on the federal government for action
on tobacco taxes, packaging and marketing, which is of concern given the federal
government's inability to enact strong regulations in this regard despite repeated
announcements of their intention to do so. Finally, the Province refused to take any action to
increase smoke free provisions in workplaces and public places, stating that this is a municipal
responsibility.
Conclusions:
While the government's actions to review and strengthen the Ontario Tobacco Strategy are
very welcome, it is critical that their initial response be followed by clear actions to implement
the balance of the Expert Panel's recommendations. Continued advocacy from local boards of
health will be essential to ensure build and sustain the political commitment needed to ensure
that tobacco control and prevention is treated as a priority public health issue.
Contact Name:
Dr. Sheela Basrur
Medical Officer of Health
Tel:392-7402
Fax:392-0713
email:sbasrur@toronto.ca
Dr. Sheela V. Basrur
Medical Officer of Health
Reference:
(1)From the Backgrounder, Renewed Tobacco Strategy, Ontario Ministry of Health, April
1999.
