Improving smoking cessation support for Quebec's smokers: an evaluation of Quebec's telephone quitline.

Introduction: Quitlines are an important and widespread intervention that support smokers in their efforts to quit smoking and engage them into treatment services. Quebec's quitline, called "la ligne J'ARRÊTE", has been in operation since 2002. The objectives of this study were to evaluate treatment reach, provide a description of caller characteristics and to provide results on cessation outcome measures for Quebec's smoking cessation quitline.

Frequency and risk factors related to smoking in cars with children present.

Objectives: Second-hand smoke (SHS) can attain high concentrations in cars. To protect children's health, nine Canadian provinces have enacted legislation prohibiting smoking in privately owned vehicles when children are present; Quebec is the only province with no such legislation. The objective of this study was to estimate the proportion of smokers in Quebec who smoke while travelling in a private vehicle in which children are present, and to compare the characteristics of smokers who do and do not smoke in cars.

Smoking restrictions in homes after implementation of a smoking ban in public places.

Introduction: This Canadian study examines the prevalence of smoking restrictions in homes before and after the implementation of a public smoking ban, and their relation to tobacco use and cessation among a cohort of smokers.

Methods: Data were from a longitudinal cohort study of 1,058 smokers in the province of Québec, Canada. Baseline data were collected through a population-based survey conducted 1 month before the implementation of the smoking ban with a representative sample of smokers.

Implementing an indoor smoking ban in prison: enforcement issues and effects on tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoke and health of inmates.

Objectives: To describe the issues encountered during the implementation of an indoor smoking ban in prison and its effects on self-reported tobacco use, perceived exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) and perceived health status of inmates in Quebec's provincial correctional facilities.

Methods: Quantitative data were obtained from 113 inmates in three provincial correctional facilities in the province of Quebec, Canada. Qualitative data were obtained from 52 inmates and 27 staff members.

A heroin prescription trial: case studies from Montreal and Vancouver on crime and disorder in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Background: This study evaluates whether the instauration of a heroin prescription trial ('NAOMI') generated an impact on the occurrence of crime and disorder in surrounding areas. The clinical trial was initiated in Vancouver and Montreal in 2005, with the aim of assessing the benefits of heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) in Canada. While experiences from other jurisdictions where HAT trials have been implemented clearly demonstrate substantial crime reduction effects for trial participants, there is overall concern that HAT clinics - similar to other interventions aiming at problematic street drug users - may induce a 'honeypot' effect, leading to increases in crime and/or disorder problems in the vicinity of interventions.

Adapted Couple Therapy (ACT) for pathological gamblers: a promising avenue.

The study of the effectiveness of treatment for pathological gambling constitutes a field that is still largely unexplored. To date, the models assessed primarily target the individual and include little or no involvement of the family circle. Yet, the deleterious effects of gambling on loved ones and especially spouses are well recognized.