PACT Notes

October 27th, 2017

New York State Bans Vaping of Electronic Cigarettes Indoors, Just Like Traditional Tobacco Products

New York State is banning electronic cigarettes indoors everywhere that traditional tobacco cigarettes are prohibited, such as restaurants, bars and other workplaces. The ban goes into effect in 30 days, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Clean Indoor Air Act on October 23, 2017. According to the Surgeon General, roughly over 70% of New York State’s cities already have restrictions in place for e-cigarettes, this legislation helps to close a loophole at the state level.

21+ Raising the Minimum Age of Sale for Cigarettes and all Tobacco Products to 21 is a Critical Tool That can Help End the Tobacco Epidemic

Tobacco use among youth has long been a concern because of the harms inherently associated with its use. Evidence suggests that nicotine use during adolescence and young adulthood has long term impacts on brain development, and may make it more difficult to quit using tobacco later. A statement by the Truth Initiative indicates their support in establishing a minimum age of sale of 21 for tobacco products, and they are dedicated to finishing tobacco and supports policies that contribute to that goal. Raising the age of sale for tobacco to 21 has the potential to help end tobacco use once and for all.

High- Nicotine E-Cigs may be Gateway to Smoking for Teens

Teens who vape e-cigarettes with higher nicotine levels are more likely to start smoking conventional cigarettes soon after, new research shows. A team of researchers from University of Southern California tracked outcomes for 181 10th grade students from high schools in Los Angeles who said they had used e-cigarettes within the past month and had provided data on nicotine levels in the devices they used. Six months later, those who had used higher nicotine levels were more likely to report both the use of e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes within the last month.

Study Finds Smokers Wrongly Believe Natural American Spirit Cigarettes are Healthier

Lung Force Walk – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The Harrisburg LUNG FORCE Walk will be held Sunday, October 29, 2017 at City Island (245 Champion Way, Harrisburg, PA 17101). Registration and check-in will begin at 8:30am with opening ceremony starting roughly around 9:45am and the walk will commence at 10:00am. The walking track this year will be a one mile loop around City Island featuring Trunk or Treat cars for children to stop at and grab some candy, raffles, several different vendors that will be donating portions of their sales back to the American Lung Association, and a number of food trucks. This year participants have the option to bring along their furry friends to the walk, and participate in our pet costume contest. The online registration link is open until 2:00 pm today (October 27, 2017) but registration at the event is welcome.

For the registration link, please click here.

PACT Notes

PACT Notes – December 21, 2018

by Erica Saylor | Dec 21, 2018 | PACT Notes

A new study found that increases in adolescent vaping from 2017 to 2018 were the largest ever recorded in the past 43 years for any adolescent substance use outcome in the U.S.

In just one year e-cigarette use among youth has skyrocketed, increasing by:
90% among 12th graders
96% among 10th graders
74% among 8th graders

PACT Notes – December 14, 2018

by Erica Saylor | Dec 14, 2018 | PACT Notes

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark 1998 legal settlement between the states and the tobacco companies, which required the companies to pay more than $200 billion over time as compensation for tobacco-related health care costs.

The report challenges states to do more to fight tobacco use – the nation’s No. 1 preventable cause of death – and to confront the growing epidemic of youth e-cigarette use in America. In Pennsylvania, 8.7 percent of high school students smoke cigarettes, while 11.3 percent use e-cigarettes. Tobacco use claims 22,000 Pennsylvania lives and costs the state $6.3 billion in health care bills annually.

PACT Notes – December 7, 2018

by Erica Saylor | Dec 7, 2018 | PACT Notes

This week Senator Mario Scavello (PA-40) released a co-sponsorship memo for Tobacco 21. He is actively looking for support in the Senate and plans to introduce legislation in the session starting in the new year. While PACT is still advising that advocates wait until the new year to start their legislative visits, if you have any connections with Senators you think might be interested in support please reach out to PACT and we are happy to connect them with Senator Scavello’s Office.

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