What's New?

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How tobacco plants, like all plants, are composed of chemicals;

What happens when tobacco burns, including how toxic chemicals are formed; and, The negative effects these toxic chemicals can have on human health.

You can choose to watch all three animations, or select an animation of interest by selecting a tab below. While watching the animations, you can click on underlined words and the "True or False?" and "Did you know?" boxes for additional information.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/tobac-tabac/fact-fait/smoke-fumee1-eng.php#cont

CTI Webinar Events March 10 or 12, 2009
Save the Date! FREE CTI Webinar Event March 10 or 12, 2009: 7-9pm The Clinical Tobacco Intervention (CTI) Program is pleased to offer its Clinical Tobacco Interventions for Health Care Professionals Learning Module in Webinar Format!

Webinars offer a virtual classroom where participants can take part in a live presentation within the comfort of their own home or office. All that is needed is a computer with an internet connection and speakers. Participants can see and hear the speaker’s slide presentation, ask questions and participate as they would in a live classroom setting. It’s a perfect way to enhance your tobacco cessation knowledge and strategies without the challenge or expense of a live education session.

Topics in the Presentation include: Epidemiology and health risks, Nicotine Addiction, Counseling Strategies, Cessation Aids, Motivating tobacco users to quit, Cessation Pharmacology and The 5 A’s Model.

*Continuing Education Credits awarded to those who take part.

Save the Date...Online Registration Info to follow!


Varenicline Safety Update from Health Canada: 2009
CTI Update New Health Canada Safety Information Regarding Smoking Cessation Aid: Champix (Varenicline)

(January 2009) Health Canada is currently working with Pfizer, the manufacturer of Champix (varenicline) to update the current health and safety information for this smoking cessation product.

An update to the product’s labeling will reflect current safety information about the risks of serious psychiatric side effects and increase awareness of these potential risks. As a result of these updates, prescribing information for Health Care providers will also change.

Dentists prescribing Champix to any of their patients seeking assistance in smoking cessation should be well informed of the risks, especially if they are prescribing Champix to patients with pre existing depression or mental health problems, as these symptoms may worsen if administered the drug.

Health Canada also advises that individuals taking Champix report to their health care professional any “unusual thoughts, feelings or behaviors, especially those related to depression, aggression or self harm” (Health Canada, 2009). Patients are also encouraged to stop taking the drug immediately should these behaviors occur. Health Canada will circulate these labeling changes to Health Care Professionals upon their completion.

For more information on Champix, its product monograph or fact sheets for Health Care Professional and the Public, please visit the link below.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2009/2009_01-eng.php

Now Available - New Online Modules
E-Learning Project - A Focus on Clinical Tobacco Interventions for Youth The Clinical Tobacco Intervention (CTI) Program has introduced an e-learning module for physicians, pharmacists and dentists focusing on cessation interventions for youth. The development of this program is being supported by a grant from Health Canada. This web-based module will take approximately one hour to complete and covers the following topics:

• Epidemiology and health risks of smoking in youth
• Why youth start to smoke
• Addiction and teen smoking
• Counselling strategies
• Smoking cessation aids
• Societal messaging

In order to participate, it is recommended that participants have attended a previous educational session on tobacco use cessation, either through CTI or another group. Participants should have an understanding of the Stages of Change, Minimal Contact Intervention, The 5 A’s Model, Motivating Tobacco Users to Quit, Pharmacotherapy, Relapse, and Physiological Effects of Nicotine. The Youth E-Learning Module focuses on youth as a special population and builds on these concepts addressed through the CTI continuing education programs.

There is no fee to participate and the module has been recognized for continuing education (CE) credits.

To access the module please click the "E-Learning" tab on the left hand side of the screen and follow the registration instructions.

Financial contribution from the Tobacco Control Programme, Health Canada.
www.ctica.org/contact/contact.html

New Feature
Now you can order CTI materials online! Select the 'Materials' tab and click on your association logo to activate the order form.


No Show and Cancellation Policy
CTI continually strives to bring high quality training programs to as many interested physicians, pharmacists and dentists as possible. In an effort to meet demand and accommodate the greatest number of practitioners CTI has implemented a “No Show and Cancellation” policy. This will ensure that CTI training event attendance is maximized and resources are utilized as best possible.

• No-Shows: For each registrant who does not attend a $25.00 administrative fee will be charged for each registrant to the credit card number provided on the registration form.

• Cancellations: Cancellations must be received in writing (fax or email) at least 72 hours in advance of the workshop. Cancellations received outside of this timeframe will be subject to an administrative fee of $25.00 for each registrant.

• On-site registrations will not be accepted.

CTI appreciates compliance with this new policy. Should you have any questions, please contact your association representative.
www.ctica.org/contact/contact.html

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SMOKING CESSATION ACTIVITIES!
The Clinical Tobacco Intervention Program (CTI) is interested in learning from dentists, physicians, and pharmacists about their success stories and experiences with helping patients to quit smoking.

You can write about or discuss the following:

• Discussing tobacco use with patients.

• Guiding some patients to consider quitting.

• Implementing a team approach (i.e. inclusion of support staff).

• Being involved in CTI – attending a CTI training event or ordering an education kit.

• Having patients acknowledge/appreciate your professional role in tobacco intervention.

• Memorable experiences with patient(s) and your efforts to assist them to stop tobacco consumption.

We appreciate any and all stories that you share with us. Please remember not to use any unique patient identifying information.

Please send your stories via your association representative.
www.ctica.org/contact/contact.html

NEW RESOURCES FROM CTI
Two of the most popular CTI resources are now available in French!

Votre Guide vers un avenir sans tabac (Your Guide to a Smoke Free Future Patient Booklet)

Un plan personnalisé d’abandon du tabagisme (Quit Plan Pad – Practitioner/Patient Resource)

Click on the link below to contact your association representative to order these materials in French.
ctica.org/contact/contact.html

Newly available from CTI
Local Cessation Services The 2008 update to the Compendium of Smoking Cessation Services and Programs - lists local services and programs that you can use for patient referral for more extensive counseling.

To access your local Smoking Cessation Services and Programs, click on the following link:
ctica.org/cessation/cessation.html