McGill expert alert: Quebec anti-smoking law marks end of an era

Canada is considered to be among those countries at the forefront of anti-smoking legislation. Beginning May 31, 2006, Quebec, which has traditionally had the highest smoking rates in the country, will prohibit smoking in all enclosed public spaces. Quebec's Bill 112 will make it illegal to smoke in restaurants, bars, private clubs or other facilities open to the public. McGill suggests the following expert sources on this story:

Smoking and teens

Jennifer O'Loughlin is an associate professor in McGill's Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health and an expert on teenagers and cigarettes. O'Loughlin recently received $1.5 million in new funding from the Canadian Cancer Society for her ongoing study of smoking patterns among more than 1,200 Montreal high school students. Jennifer O'Loughlin can be reached at 514-398-3231, or by jennifer.oloughlin [at] mcgill.ca (email).

Quitting smoking

John Kayser is an MUHC nurse clinician and coordinator of the MUHC Smoking Cessation Program. To reach John Kayser, please contact Ian Popple, Communications Coordinator (research), MUHC Public Relations and Communications, at 514-843-1560 or by ian.popple [at] muhc.mcgill.ca (email).

History of smoking in Quebec

Jarrett Rudy is Chair of the McGill Quebec Studies Program, has studied Quebecers' relationship with smoking and authored the 2005 book The Freedom to Smoke. Rudy describes Quebec's unique history of the rise and fall of smoking and sheds light on Quebec's habit. Jarrett Rudy can be reached at 514-398-3960 or by jarrett.rudy [at] mcgill.ca (email).

Potential economic impact of anti-smoking legislation

Robert Soroka, Faculty Lecturer, Desautels Faculty of Management, is a retail and marketing expert who has studied market trends, consumption habits and the experiences of smoke-free establishments. Robert Soroka can be reached at 514-851-2377 (pager), or by robert.soroka [at] mcgill.ca (email).