PACT Notes

May 11, 2018

American Lung Association: Turquoise Takeover!

Turquoise is the signature color of the LUNG FORCE movement. Since 2014, LUNG FORCE has collected stories of lung cancer patients, survivors and caregivers- these brave women and men are our “LUNG FORCE Heroes” and by sharing their stories we’re able to change perceptions of lung cancer – and to help others know their risk and understand why new methods of early detection are essential for saving lives. Now until May 26, you can visit a CVS Pharmacy and make a donation at the register to raise funds for lung cancer awareness, research and education.

You Already Have to be 21 to Drink. It’s Time to Raise the Tobacco Purchasing age in Pa

“The gravity of this issue requires an urgent policy response. With strong evidence that increasing the tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21 is effective and supported by the American public, we have a rare opportunity to prevent a life-altering addiction from ever taking hold of children and future generations. Let’s take a simple but powerful step to prevent the targeting of our children and adolescents and use Tobacco 21 in Pennsylvania to help our youth live tobacco-free lives.“

Tobacco Smoke Residue Can Become Airborne Again Indoors

Researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia found that chemicals left on clothing, furniture and other surfaces by tobacco smoke – known as thirdhand smoke – can become airborne and travel through a building’s ventilation system. The researchers measured the air composition in a non-smoking, unoccupied classroom over the course of a month using an aerosol mass spectrometer. They initially wanted to see what happens to outdoor air particles when they come inside. But they kept noticing a chemical signature that was only indoors and not outdoors. They discovered it consisted of chemicals from thirdhand smoke – and made up 29 percent of the air mass in the room.

Massachusetts House OKs 21 as Minimum Statewide age for Buying Tobacco

The Massachusetts House overwhelmingly approved on Wednesday raising the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco or vaping products from 18 to 21, a move that would bring the entire state in line with a policy already adopted by many of its cities and towns. The new age requirement is part of legislation aimed at discouraging teens from taking up tobacco. Other provisions include a ban on vaping on school grounds and other public places, and a prohibition on the sale of tobacco products by pharmacies or stores within health care facilities.

Pennsylvania’s TRU April 2018 Report

The Tobacco Resistance Unit (TRU) is a movement throughout all of Pennsylvania to help youth, ages 12 to 18, stay tobacco- and nicotine- free. Every month, TRU provides an update on TRU groups in regions throughout Pennsylvania, the number of TRU members, the number of TRU mentors, and TRU news.

Click here to learn more about TRU.

PACT Notes

PACT Notes – December 21, 2018

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

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

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.