The Expand Project is starting and expanding conversations around commercial and traditional uses of tobacco amongst 2S, Indigiqueer, queer, and trans young adults ages 18-29 in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.

These conversations allow us to meet folks where they’re at by understanding the various needs, realities and life priorities for individuals and communities. Nonetheless, if we don’t acknowledge smoking/vaping, we aren’t fully addressing the well-being of 2S, Indigiqueer, queer, and trans young adults. Thus, the campaign was developed to make commercial tobacco use a part of contemporary conversations around 2S, Indigiqueer, queer, and trans health. These conversations bridge traditional use with the impacts of colonial commercialization of tobacco and nicotine.

Informed by and made for 2S, Indigiqueer, queer, and trans young adults, we’re working together to create and share culturally aware and accurate information and resources encouraging folks to reflect on our own smoking and vaping use both personally and as communities.

After a meaningful and informative Phase 1 (Oct. 2019 to Dec. 2023), we’re excited to share that the Expand Project has received additional funding until December 2025! The funding continues to be provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada under the Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund.

Phase 2 of the project will continue to offer quit coaches, periodic incentivized “Quit to Win” contests, a quit map directory of local resources, and free 4-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy packs (through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Amongst these offerings will also include the following:

• A parallel program led by 2-Spirited Peoples of the 1st Nations to start conversations with 2S and Indigiqueer young adults around cultural ceremonial use of tobacco.
• Five additional geographic communities in: Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Winnipeg MB, Charlottetown PEI, & St. Johns NL
• Enhanced partnership with Egale Canada (outreach + social media) and organizations in each city to support in advisory, service provision, and community outreach roles.
• Specialized in-person/virtual cessation counselling delivered alongside existing mental health supports by community mental health professionals connected with the partnered organizations.
• Continued experiential events, digital social media, and out-of-home promotional content as part of community building and resource sharing.