Did you know that brain & heart diseases share many risk factors?—but guidance on managing both together is limited. 🧠❤️
This paper brings together 10 expert groups + lived experience to develop 11 recommendations for better co-management. #Health #Research
Check out the abstract below!
📢 New publication alert
The BETTER intervention—originally for older adults—is now adapted for younger people facing poverty, supporting prevention, screening, and healthy lifestyles.🏃♀️🎗️
See the attached paper for more details:
doi: 10.1186/s40814-025-01754-x
Want additional support to quit smoking? Join the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s FREE weekly webinar on nicotine dependence—open to patients & families.
Learn strategies, ask questions, and take a step toward better health. 💙
www.ottawaheart.ca/event/webina...
Thinking about quitting smoking?
Take the First Week Challenge with the Canadian Cancer Society—quit for the first 7 days of the month for a chance to WIN $500 !! 💪
Start here: cancer.ca/en/living-wi...
🚭 Did you know? Cytisine has FEWER serious side effects than varenicline! Most are mild — think nausea or headaches — making it a well-tolerated option for quitting smoking! 💊✨
Read more here:
doi.org/10.1016/j.dr...
🚭 Want to quit smoking? STOP on the Net offers Ontario residents FREE nicotine patches & gum delivered to your door — no clinic needed. Sign up online in minutes!
👉 intrepidlab.ca/en/stop/stop-on-the-net
#QuitSmoking #Ontario #PublicHealth
Enhance your skills with TEACH by CAMH 🎓
Free, flexible courses on tobacco cessation & vaping 💡
Designed for healthcare professionals ready to make a meaningful impact ❤️🩹
Learn more 👉 teach.camhx.ca/moodle/
A recent systematic review & meta-analysis found Cytisine boosts quit rates 🚭— in some cases outperforming placebo & NRT, and rivaling Varenicline.
A potential low-cost & scalable option 🌍💊
Learn more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Take a look at this testimonial from one of our TEACH learners:
“TEACH courses have given me updated information and the tools I needed to support my patients better.”
— Virginia, NP intrepidlab.ca/en/teach/
Nearly 1.8 million Canadians vape and 42.4% of them
made at least one quit attempt in the past year.
Strategies to quit vaping (more videos coming):
#vapingcessation
Thinking about quitting smoking? Support is available.
The STOP Program offers up to 26 weeks of free NRT through participating 402 sites across Ontario. Check with your local Family Health Team or Community Health Centre to see if they’re a STOP site.
Learn More: intrepidlab.ca/en/stop/abou...
New study alert🚨
Our recent review shows e-cigarettes qualify as hazardous e-waste⚠️
Chemicals, metals, electronics in devices, & e-liquids harm land/aquatic life🌱 Disposable pods and unclear disposal guidelines further exacerbate the problem.
Read the full article here: doi.org/10.1093/ntr/...
Join our upcoming TEACH Educational Rounds!
Guiding Change: Using Motivational Interviewing to Address Vaping
🗓️ March 11, 2026 | 12–1pm ET
🎤 Presented by Rosa Dragonetti, MSc, RP, CTE
💲 FREE
Register + complete pre-learning assessment:
redcap.link/Mar2026TERReg
Ready to quit smoking or vaping? 🚭 Join the STOP program for FREE support and tools to help you succeed.
Ask your care provider how to get started & learn more here: intrepidlab.ca/en/stop/join...
#QuitTogether #STOPProgram
Channel your inner Olympian 🥇🔥
The Olympics are about pushing limits and going for gold — what if this was your moment to train for a smoke-free life? 🚭💪
Connect with your practitioner to join the STOP Program or learn more here:
intrepidlab.ca/en/stop/join...
#QuitSmoking #GoForGold
This season of Lent and Ramadan✨
What could you give up?
If smoking is on your list, make this your moment! 🚭💪
Start from the comfort of your couch with STOP on the Net 💻
intrepidlab.ca/en/stop/stop...
#FreshStart #QuitSmoking #NewSeason
Ramadan, Lent and Lunar New Year all fall within this week!
A powerful time of reflection, renewal and fresh starts. It’s the perfect moment to rethink your smoking habits and take action toward a healthier you 🚭💪
Wishing a meaningful start to the season to all who observe 🌸 #NewBeginnings
Today is International Day of Women & Girls in Science 🔬✨
Intrepid Lab is proud to support women in STEM and celebrate the incredible women in NDS who drive discovery, implementation, and collaboration every day. Thank you—and to those who encouraged your journey. 💙
www.womeninscienceday.org
This #BlackHistoryMonth, don’t miss our FREE, TEACH Educational Rounds panel on advancing smoking cessation in Black communities.
🗓 Feb 18, 12–1pm ET
🎙 Dr. Onye Nnorom, Brenda Osei-Boadi & Jama Yusuf
🔗 Register HERE: edc.camhx.ca/redcap/surve...
Huge congrats to the INTREPID Lab team! 🎉
We’re grateful to be recognized again by BioTalent Canada as a 2026 I.D.E.A.L. Bioscience Employer.
Honored to be included & we look forward to continuing our work in diversity, equity, inclusion & accessibility! #camh
www.biotalent.ca/news/announc...
📍 Last week, our team attended the 18th Annual Ottawa Conference: State-of-the-Art Clinical Approaches to Smoking Cessation.
It was a great opportunity to connect, learn, and share work focused on supporting people to quit. More highlights to come👇
#SmokingCessation #PublicHealth #STOPProgram
🎤Dr. Nadia Minian shared her current research at the conference, offering key insights to clinicians and researchers across the smoking cessation field.
👏 Proud to see all the hard work & dedication of our colleagues showcased at the conference! More great things on the horizon! #SmokingCessation
📊🎓 Our very own INTREPID Lab graduate students also attended the Conference — Jessica, Kameron, and Amanda, working under Dr. Laurie Zawertailo, presented posters showcasing their ongoing smoking cessation research.
#INTREPIDLab #HealthResearch #SmokingCessation
🧠 Our YouthVast (Vaping, Alcohol, Substance Use & Technology) Dependence Program Team was on site at the 18th Annual Ottawa Conference: State-of-the-Art Clinical Approaches to Smoking Cessation, hosting a booth & sharing study results from our youth-focused research with attendees.
#publichealth
Flu cases have peaked in Canada but virus circulation remains higher than previous years.
It's not too late to protect yourself. UHN infectious disease physician Dr. Alon Vaisman shares why it’s still worthwhile to get the flu vaccine. Read more in Toronto Star:
🔍Our recent publication results are in:
People with physical multimorbidity have lower odds of quitting smoking compared to those without medical conditions.
Findings point to the need for tailored cessation support.
Read more in the visual abstract below!
#SmokingCessation #PublicHealth
📊New research from Intrepid Lab: A gender-specific smoking cessation app (MCP-W) was found to be feasible for women who smoke. Higher engagement=↑motivation, cigarettes/day ↓, and smoke-free days ↑. More interactive, supportive features could help reach more women.🧠📱Read more in the visual abstract:
This week, our Intrepid staff were boots on the ground, handing out support prizes to raise awareness for STOP on the Net during National Non-Smoking Week! 🚭💙 #QuitSupport #NationalNonSmokingWeek”
