1. Julie Stratton, Manager, Epidemiology Peel Public Health
Determining the proportion of illicit (contraband) cigarettes in a local public health jurisdiction
Julie Stratton, Manager, Epidemiology
Peel Public Health

2. Background Self report surveys:
Most smokers buy their cigarettes legally
1% of Canadians might have purchased smuggled cigarettes (CTUMS)
13% of Canadians buy cigarettes from a First Nations reserve (23% of Ontarians)

3. Background Cigarette Butt Studies
Canadian Convenience Store Association
26% in Ontario youth (2008)
38% in Peel youth (2008)
Ontario Convenience Store Association
21% in Ontario residents (2014)
22% in Brampton residents (2014)
Post-secondary campuses in Ontario – 14%

4. Peel Region 1.3 million residents (20,000 people added each year)
West of Toronto
1.3 million residents (20,000 people added each year)
15% of Peel residents smoke

5. Research Questions
What proportion of cigarettes in the Region of Peel are illicit (untaxed?)
Are there differences in the proportion of illicit cigarettes by location of collection?

6. Methods – Sampling Frame
4 types of locations within Peel Region
Regional hospitals (3 locations)
Regional buildings serving the public (2 locations)
College campuses (2 locations) and university campus (1 location)
Secondary schools (random selection of 10 locations)

7. Methods – Pilot Study
Piloted process from one location from each venue
Collection
Identification

8. Methods – Sample Size Required 1,209 butts per venue Parameters
Estimated number of cigarettes smoked per day
Estimated per cent of contraband based on pilot study
Adjustment factor 1/
Precision of the estimate = 3%
Statistical power = 80%
Type 1 error rate = 5%
Cigarette butt discard rate based on results of pilot study

9. Methods – Collection and Storage
Hand collection from the ground or dumped from cigarette disposal bins
Collected butts until quota was met
Collected on non-rainy days
Stored in a fire proof cabinet in plastic bins at an off-site location

10. Classification - Testing
Brand name or symbol
Existence of a dry patch within the plug wrap
Number of rows and type of ventilation holes
Type of filter (acetate or polypropylene)
Resources:

11. Classification – Brand Name
Examples
du Maurier
Player’s
Matinee
Viceroy
Export A

12. Classification – Plug Wrap and Dry Patch
Dry patch (area with no glue)
Plug wrap

13. Classification – Ventilation Holes

14. Laser
Electrostatic
Mechanical

15. Classification - Filter
Polypropylene vs acetate
Some illegal cigarettes use polypropylene filters
Do not dissolve in acetone

16. Classification Legal branded International Legal native
Contraband (illegal)
Discards
Unknown or other

17. Classification – Legal Native
Putters
DKS
Sago
Ménage
Podium

18. Classification – Contraband
Examples
Canadian
Playfair
Unbranded

19. Results Total Collected and Discard Rate
Location
Total collected
Total discards
Discard Rate (per cent)
Hospitals
3,140
449
14.3
Regional Buildings
2,804
370
13.2
College/university campuses
4,808
670
13.9
Secondary schools
3,280
562
17.1
TOTAL
14,032
2,051
14.6

20. Results – Overall Classification
Number
Per Cent
Legal branded
10,663
89.0
International
144
1.2
Native legal
530
4.4
Contraband (Illegal)
629
5.3
Unknown or other 15
0.1
Note: Excludes discards

21. Results - Native Legal and Contraband by Venue
Population Representing
Venue
Per Cent Native Legal
Per Cent Contraband
Youth
Secondary schools
3.1
8.6
Young adult
College/
university campuses
1.4
2.8
General population
Hospitals, Regional buildings
7.6
5.5

22. Conclusion
Lower percentage of contraband cigarette butts than reported in other studies (5.3%)
The percentage of contraband cigarette butts varied by venue (highest in secondary schools)
Contraband rates are low - Peel will focus on other aspects of tobacco control

23. Implications for Public health practice
Collection of cigarette butts to assess percentage of contraband cigarettes can easily be replicated in the field
Peel Health has developed the following protocols which can be shared:
Cigarette Butt Study protocol
Cigarette Butt Collection Protocol
Cigarette Butt Identification Protocol
Cigarette Butt Photo Library

24. For more information
Julie Stratton, Manager, Epidemiology, Peel Public Health,
Dr. Megan Ward, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Peel Public Health,

25. Limitations
International and some contraband cigarettes might have been classified as legal
Selection of venues