| ||
V
| Validity | generally, the extent to which a measure accurately represents an underlying construct or a conclusion accurately describes an underlying phenomenon (see also External Validity, Face Validity, Internal Validity) |
| Varenicline | antidepressant prescription medication, e.g., Champix, Zyban®, sold in tablets and used as an aid to smoking cessation |
| Variety | tobacco industry term for what is familiarly called a brand |
| Vector | in the epidemiologic model of disease transmission, a carrier that conveys an infective agent to a susceptible human host within a certain environment, and, by extension to the social sciences, the tobacco industry as a conveyor of tobacco products to the consumer |
| Vending Machine | coin-operated machine for selling cigarettes which is an illegal method of sale in Canada under the 1997 federal Tobacco Act |
| Vendor | synonym for Retailer |
| Ventilation | dilution of mainstream smoke with air from the atmosphere achieved by pores and perforations in cigarette and filter paperReference: Kozlowski LT, O’Connor RJ. Cigarette filter ventilation is a defective design because of misleading taste, bigger puffs, and blocked vents. Tobacco Control 2002;11:i40-i50. |
| Visibility | manifestation of tobacco products, signage and accessories at the point of sale |
| Visual Cue | tobacco-related material on display, e.g., in the retail environment, that is intended to stimulate purchase of cigarettes |
| Voluntary Restrictions | (1) synonym for Tobacco Industry Self-Regulation; (2) willing curtailment of smoking by an individual or group in the absence of a legal requirement, e.g., when parents decide not to smoke at home in the presence of children |
| Vulnerable Groups/Populations | groups of people who are at risk for smoking behaviour or high smoking prevalence (e.g., Aboriginal communities, blue-collar workers, psychiatric patients) |
Back to top
The OTRU Glossary of Tobacco Control provides brief definitions of over 1,000 tobacco control terms, abbreviations and acronyms. Definitions are based on many sources including dictionaries, legislative texts, websites, reports, books, peer-reviewed journal articles and communications from tobacco control experts. A single definition often reflects material from more than one source.
While we have tried to be comprehensive in producing this resource, the language of tobacco control is constantly evolving and there may be relevant terms that are not listed or terms whose meanings may have changed.
Comments about the glossary or particular definitions are welcome and can be sent to lise_anglin@camh.net. For technical assistance, please contact sonja_johnston@camh.net