WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-P3.01.40 10 Years Post Implementation of a Smoking Cessation (SC) Program in Regional Cancer Centres in Ontario, Canada:Successes and Ongoing Challenges

P3.01.40 10 Years Post Implementation of a Smoking Cessation (SC) Program in Regional Cancer Centres in Ontario, Canada:Successes and Ongoing Challenges

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This summary outlines the ten-year experience of Ontario Health’s Smoking Cessation (SC) Program implemented across 14 Regional Cancer Programs (RCPs) in Ontario, Canada. Designed to support Ontario Cancer Plan 6 (2024-2028) goals, the program addresses tobacco smoking, a key behavioral risk factor worsening cancer outcomes. Since its inception, the SC program has reached nearly 400,000 ambulatory cancer patients (FY 2015/16 - FY 2024/25), with over 63,000 identified as current or recent tobacco users. Of these, approximately 45,500 received advice on cessation benefits, 43,700 were recommended referrals, and 17,000 accepted referrals for smoking cessation support.<br /><br />High-performing RCPs share features like dedicated clinical leadership, clearly defined smoking cessation roles, availability of on-site counseling, multiple patient engagement points, and free access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Regional adaptation allows customization while adhering to provincial standards, supported by local champions, ongoing education, community partnerships, and quality monitoring.<br /><br />Key program components include promoting initiation and follow-up flexibility to enhance patient readiness, establishing oncology-specific cessation clinical guidelines, volume-based funding aligning resources to patient needs, culturally sensitive and multilingual educational materials, improved electronic medical record interfaces, and electronic symptom kiosks to track and respond to tobacco use over time.<br /><br />Despite overall success, regional variations in screening and referral acceptance indicate opportunities for improvement. Challenges remain in increasing referral uptake and sustaining patient engagement throughout the cancer care continuum.<br /><br />In summary, Ontario’s SC program exemplifies a multi-faceted, regionally adaptable strategy integrated into cancer care to reduce tobacco-related risks. Continued efforts focus on enhancing consistency of care, patient access to cessation supports, and addressing regional disparities to improve cancer outcomes statewide.

Asset Subtitle

William Evans

Meta Tag

Speaker William Evans

Topic Risk Factors, Risk Reduction & Tobacco Control

Keywords

Ontario Health

Smoking Cessation Program

Regional Cancer Programs

Ontario Cancer Plan 6

tobacco smoking

cancer outcomes

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

clinical guidelines

patient engagement

electronic medical records