title: "Thinking outside the pack": examining physically active smokers and implications for practice among Ontario residents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is estimated that tobacco use kills more than 5 million people annually; it is the leading cause of preventable deaths. Recent public health interventions have likely contributed to a steady decline in rates of smoking over the past decade. Nevertheless, innovative and cost-effective approaches to smoking cessation remain a public health priority. The purpose of this study was to profile physically active smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2007-2008-Ontario Sharing File were used. Responses from 41,800 persons aged 12 years and older were assessed to compare (a) the sociodemographic characteristics of physically active smokers to physically active nonsmokers in Ontario and (b) the types of leisure-time physical activities that are more commonly practiced among active Ontario smokers to active nonsmokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pearson χ(2) and independent samples t tests revealed that active smokers were more likely to be male, younger, single, and less educated and to have lower income than active nonsmokers. Active smokers were also more likely to report inexpensive, low-intensity, and solitary leisure-time physical activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings have important implications for physical activity promotion among smokers. Physical activity interventions for smokers need to be tailored differently than for nonsmokers.
authors.affiliation: Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Alain P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Snelling
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors