What is Leave The Pack Behind

Leave The Pack Behind (LTPB) is a tobacco control program that offers young adults smoking and quitting information, personalized support, and quitting resources – all for free! It is funded by the government of Ontario.

How Long Has LTPB Been Around?

how-long

The name for this program was adopted with permission, from the World Health Organization’s 1999 World No Tobacco Day campaign.

Leave The Pack Behind began in 2000, in response to a call for proposals from Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Now with 15 years of experience, Leave The Pack Behind is considered a best-practice program for addressing tobacco use among young adults.

Why LTPB Exists

More young adults smoke than any other age group1 20% (20-24 years olds) vs. 16% (all age groups 15+ years old)

Up to 1 in 4 smokers have their first cigarette after the age of 182

Young adulthood is a stressful time, which may increase the risk of smoking3-5

Most young adult smokers say they want to quit6-8

Quitting before the age of 30 can eliminate the increased risk for cancer, heart disease, and other tobacco-related illnesses9

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Research & Evaluation

Evidence Based

All of the social marketing campaign activities, and programs and services that comprise Leave The Pack Behind are based on research evidence. Ongoing, systematic program evaluation and research are central components of Leave The Pack Behind.

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LTPB works

Leave The Pack Behind quitting programs are effective! Unassisted quit rates (i.e. quitting cold turkey) are 5-7%10 vs. average quit rate of ~12% for Leave The Pack Behind quitting resources

12%

In 2014

of young adults recognize Leave The Pack Behind as a program on campus to help students quit smoking

66%

young adults smokers have used one (or more) Leave The Pack Behind quitting resources

24,963

young adults smokers expect to quit smoking in the long-term as a result of using Leave The Pack Behind quitting resources

2,913

Who We Are

Kelli-an Lawrance
Co-Director &
Principal Investigator

Sharon Lawler
Co-Director

Melodie Shick-Porter
Co-Director

Stephen Agnew
Research Coordinator,
Web & Graphics

Diem Chanhsavang
Administrative Assistant

Agnes Hsin
Research Coordinator

Amanda Kirkwood
Assistant Manager,
Research & Evaluation

Tyler Moon
Assistant Manager,
Communications & Programming

Jennifer O’Brien
Research Coordinator

Shona Riggi
Research Coordinator

Cindy Rorke
Administrative Assistant

Lindsay Taylor
Assistant Manager,
Communications & Programming

Heather Travis
Manager

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What is Leave The Pack Behind
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