Grant: Health System Impact Fellowships - PostDoc Western Canada 2-year

Tobacco use remains a major health issue, contributing to preventable illness and death. Although smoking cessation can lead to important health benefits, even later in life, older adults in long-term care (LTC) often have limited access to tailored support. In British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has developed a smoking cessation strategy and is preparing to implement it in LTC settings. However, little is known about how best to introduce and sustain such programs in these environments. This fellowship will support VCH in adapting and implementing its tobacco cessation strategy using an equity-focused, collaborative approach. The project will begin by identifying current practices, challenges, and opportunities through interviews with people who smoke, healthcare providers, managers, and policymakers. This will help ensure the strategy meets the needs of those most affected. Based on the findings, I will work with an Advisory Group including people with lived experience of tobacco use to co-design a practical, context-specific implementation plan. The intervention will then be introduced in a small number of LTC units selected for their readiness to participate. I will assess outcomes such as feasibility and acceptability, and compare results across different sites to inform broader improvements. The project will be conducted in close partnership with VCH's LTC leadership and supported by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Legacy for Airway Health. By applying implementation science and co-production methods, this work aims to strengthen LTC smoking cessation services, improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations, and support scale-up across the health system.