PACT Notes

February 2nd, 2018

Cigarette Brand Preference and Pro-Tobacco Advertising Among Middle and High School Students – United States, 2012-2016

Nearly all adult smokers first try cigarettes before age 18 years, and adolescents can show symptoms of nicotine dependence within days to weeks of the onset of occasional cigarette smoking. Having a usual cigarette brand among adolescent smokers could reflect exposure and receptivity to pro-tobacco advertising and tobacco product appeal. During 2012-2016, the top three brands usually smoked by U.S. middle and high school current cigarette smokers were Marlboro, Newport, and Camel; these brands also were the top three favorite cigarette ads reported by current cigarette smokers in middle and high school in 2012. Reducing youth-oriented tobacco marketing, as part of a comprehensive approach in concert with other evidence-based strategies could help reduce the acceptability, affordability, and use of tobacco products among youth.

To learn more about tobacco industry marketing click here.

FDA Advisors Say Evidence Doesn’t Back Philip Morris’ Claim

Evidence doesn’t support Philip Morris International’s claims that its heat-not-burn tobacco product cuts the risk of tobacco-related diseases and is likely to switch adult cigarette smokers, regulatory advisors said. Members voted unanimously (aside from one abstention) against PMI’s claim that its heat-not-burn tobacco product cuts the risk of tobacco-related diseases. The panel also rejected a claim that iQOS is less risky than continuing to smoke cigarettes in a 5-4 vote.

To learn more about Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Products click here.

New Jersey Could Become the First State to Ban the Sale of Menthol Cigarettes

New Jersey’s Office of Legislative Services held a general assembly for the Health and Senior Services Committee to discuss the sale of menthol cigarettes, which is being looked at as a leader of health problems. Assemblyman Herb Conaway pointed out the dangerous cooling effects of menthol that allows smokers to inhale more toxic substances that cause health problems. Menthol cigarette manufacturers racially profile the areas they advertise in, specifically targeting black communities, and that menthol is a highly addictive substance that leads to lung cancer.

To learn more about menthol cigarettes click here.

PACT Scholarship

PACT is excited to offer a scholarship opportunity for students currently pursuing a degree in the medical field and for medical professionals who are interested in becoming Freedom From SmokingÂ® facilitators. This scholarship is a terrific way for students and medical professionals to enhance their tobacco cessation skills and to further develop their community involvement through lung health advocacy efforts. Please visit the linked PACT website to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Upcoming Asthma Educator Institute

The American Lung Association is holding an Asthma Educator Institute in Reading, PA on May 22-23. The Asthma Educator Institute (AEI) is a two-day preparatory course for individuals who want to implement asthma guidelines-based care and those qualified to take the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) examination.

If you have any questions about this exciting opportunity or are interested in registering, please email Shelly at Shelly.Cree@lung.org.

PACT Notes

PACT Notes – December 21, 2018

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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

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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

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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.