TSET History Film to Air Statewide on OETA in January

OETA will air a 27-minute documentary on January 15 which celebrates the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust’s (TSET) 15th anniversary. The film will focus on the vision of the state leaders for TSET and the language of the state question from 2000, which created TSET. The film also highlights the ways TSET has improved health in Oklahoma with the endowment’s earnings and explains the health programs and milestones achieved by TSET in the past 15 years. By decreasing tobacco use and promoting healthy lifestyles, TSET has kept its promise to Oklahoma voters by investing the endowment in improving Oklahoma’s health.

New TSET Funding Opportunity Scheduled for Release in January

Stay tuned for an upcoming TSET funding opportunity for community-based work to improve health. We anticipate releasing a Request for Proposals in January. Information will be posted on our website. If you would like to get on the list to receive an email notifications about the upcoming RFP, please click here.

Journal supplement highlights prevention work in Oklahoma

Congratulations to TSET-research grantee Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center, whose work will be featured in the January 2015 supplement of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.

The upcoming supplement includes 16 articles that highlight Best Practices, Research and Oklahoma's Investment in Tobacco Control.

We invite you to see an online "sneak peak" of the January 2015 American Journal of Preventative Medicine Supplement that highlights the great work going on in Oklahoma.

Kevin Durant partnership challenges Oklahomans to be healthy

NBA Player Kevin Durant is partnering the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and TSET challenging Oklahoma youth to eat better, move more and be tobacco free. The monthly challenges encourage Oklahomans to form healthier habits. Share videos on the Shape Your Future Facebook wall at Facebook.com/ShapeFutureOK for a chance to win KD gear or the grand prize of chance to meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in April. Click here to learn more Shape Your Future KD MVP Challenge.

TSET Celebrates Anniversary in 2015

Happy holidays

from  TSET! 

During the holidays, many of us spend time with family and friends. That time together reminds us that we are part of networks and connections that sustain and support us throughout the year.

TSET’s grants and programs leverage the talents and resources of a network of organizations and groups in passionate pursuit of a shared vision – a healthy Oklahoma.

In November 2000, when Oklahoma voters passed a constitutional amendment to create the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, they did so with a common vision and dream in mind; Oklahoma could be a healthier, better place to live.

In 2015, we want to honor that investment as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the voter’s decision. Adult smoking in our state is at a historic low. Youth smoking has nearly been cut in half, and obesity among young people is on the decline.

The progress we report is not just TSET’s alone. The vision of our original – and current – board, is that TSET and the funding it provides, leverages and enhances the phenomenal work that is being done in every corner of our state by individuals and organizations, elected officials, local governments, and tribal nations, to advance our state’s health.

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Don't forget your fruits and veggies!

"New Year. New You." Campaign Launches in 2015

The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust’s first health communication campaign for 2015 is a simple but powerful message that taps into the resolve of many to start the new year right by quitting tobacco. Print versions of the ads expand on the New Year theme by asking the rhetorical question, “The most anticipated release of 2015?” They emphatically answer, “YOU.”

The ads then point to 11 of the many ways that quitting tobacco is beneficial. The advantages are grouped in three areas – longer life, improved physical features and financial savings.

“The new year is a great time for tobacco users to upgrade their health and quit tobacco for good,” states TSET Executive Director Tracey Strader.

All forms of “New Year. New You.” tobacco messaging include the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline telephone number (800-QUIT-NOW or 800-784-8669) and website (www.OKhelpline.com). More than 250,000 Oklahomans have accessed the Helpline since it opened in 2003.

TSET Grantees Participate in Summits on Faith Community Health

Two Communities of Excellence grantees spoke as panelists recently at the Oklahoma Faith and Community-Based Health Summit in Tulsa. Corey Love of the Tobacco Free Coalition for Tulsa County and D’Elbie Walker of Muskogee Against Tobacco spoke on the Healthy Congregations program that encourages places of worship to be tobacco-free and their members to eat better and move more. The Tulsa event on Dec. 4 followed a summit that took place Dec. 1 in Oklahoma City, which had its own local panelists for the same program. Both events focused on increasing health awareness and wellness opportunities within congregations and community sectors. The summits addressed housing, food security and access to healthy foods, public transportation, and access to health services and literacy. William Tabbernee, executive director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, said healthy congregations start with healthier clergy. “Seventy percent of clergy self-report that they are in very good health, but clergy are twice as likely to have a heart attack,” he said. “It’s an indication that the stress clergy have is detrimental to the health and family life.”