Canadian Tobacco Research Foundation Website Privacy Policy

Last updated April 29, 2013.

Protecting your privacy is important to the Canadian Tobacco Research Foundation (“CTRF”).  This Policy explains how CTRF collects, uses, and discloses the personal information you may provide while using CTRF’s Website (the “Website”).  Any personal information you provide to us through the Website will be treated with care, and subject to this Policy will not be used or disclosed in ways to which you have not consented.

By using the Website, you signify your consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with this Policy.  If you do not agree with this Policy, you may not use the Website.

Information Automatically Collected

Non‑Identifiable Information – Like many other websites, the Website may automatically collect certain non‑identifiable information regarding Website users, such as the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer, the IP address of your Internet Service Provider, the date and time you access the Website, the Internet address of the Website from which you linked directly to the Website, the operating system you are using, the sections of the Website you visit, the Website pages read and images viewed, and the materials you post to or download from the Website.  This non‑identifiable information is used for Website and system administration purposes and to improve the Website.  Your non‑identifiable information may be disclosed to others and permanently archived for future use.

Cookies – The Website may use “cookies”, a technology that installs information on a Website user’s computer to permit the Website to recognize future visits using that computer.  Cookies enhance the convenience and use of the Website.  You may choose to decline cookies if your browser permits, but doing so may affect your use of the Website and your ability to access certain features of the Website.

Personal Information You Specifically Provide to the Website

Your Personal Information – During your use of the Website, you may be asked to voluntarily provide certain personal information (such as your name, email address, postal address, and telephone number) for purposes such as facilitating communications with you or for applying for access to certain special features or areas of the Website.  

Use of Your Personal Information – CTRF may use your personal information to contact and correspond with you, to respond to your inquiries, and as otherwise permitted by law.  Generally, CTRF will consider the fact that you have voluntarily visited the Website and have provided CTRF with contact information to signify your consent for CTRF to use your contact Information for purposes of tracking our communications with you and providing you with information.

Emails from CTRF – If you provide your email address, CTRF may send to you, from time to time, email containing information about CTRF and other matters it believes will interest you.  At any time you may ask CTRF to stop sending you email and other information by contacting CTRF.

Disclosure of Your Personal Information – CTRF may disclose your personal information to a government institution that has asserted its lawful authority to obtain the information or where CTRF has reasonable grounds to believe the information could be useful in the investigation of unlawful activity, or to comply with a subpoena or warrant or an order made by a court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information, or to comply with court rules regarding the production of records and information, or to protect CTRF’s rights and property.  If CTRF is involved in a merger or other reorganization, CTRF may disclose your personal information to the resulting organization.

Storing and Securing Your Information – CTRF may store and process your personal information at CTRF’s offices in Canada, or elsewhere.  To help protect the confidentiality of your personal information, CTRF employs security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.  Nevertheless, due to the nature of the Internet and Internet technologies, security and privacy risks cannot be eliminated and CTRF cannot guarantee that your personal information will not be disclosed in ways not otherwise described in this Policy.

Accessing Your Personal Information – You may request access to your personal information and information about CTRF’s collection, use and disclosure of that information by contacting CTRF.  Subject to certain exceptions prescribed by law, you will be given reasonable access to your personal information, and will be entitled to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and to have it amended as appropriate.  You can help CTRF maintain the accuracy of your information by notifying CTRF of any changes to your personal information.

Withdrawal of Consent – In some jurisdictions, you may withdraw your consent to the use and intention of personal information about you.  To do this, please contact CTRF as noted above. 

Other Matters

Other Websites – The Website may contain links to other websites or Internet resources.  When you click on one of those links you are contacting another website or Internet resource that may collect information about you voluntarily or through cookies or other technologies.  CTRF has no responsibility or liability for or control over those other Websites or Internet resources or their collection, use and disclosure of your personal information.

Website Use Agreement – The Canadian Tobacco Research Foundation Website Use Agreement governing your use of the Website contains important provisions disclaiming and excluding the liability of CTRF and others regarding your use of the Website and provisions determining the applicable law and exclusive jurisdiction for the resolution of any disputes regarding your use of the Website.  Each of those provisions also applies to any disputes that may arise in relation to this Policy and the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information, and are of the same force and effect as if they had been reproduced directly in this Policy.

Former Users – If you stop using the Website or your permission to use the Website is terminated by CTRF, CTRF may continue to use and disclose your personal information in accordance with this Policy as amended from time to time, and subject to compliance with the law.

Privacy Policy Changes – This Policy may be changed by CTRF from time to time in CTRF’s sole discretion and without any prior notice or liability to you or any other person.  The collection, use and disclosure of your personal information by CTRF will be governed by the version of this Policy in effect at that time.  New versions of this Policy will be posted here.  Your continued use of the Website subsequent to any changes to this Policy will signify that you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with the changed Policy.  Accordingly, when you use the Website, you should check the date of this Policy and review any changes since the last version.  You should also bookmark this page and periodically review this Policy to ensure that you are familiar with the most current version.

Your Comments ‑ If you have any comments or questions about this Policy or your personal information, please contact CTRF.