Nearly 1 in
5 teens now uses e-cigarettes
Results from the 2016 Minnesota Student
Survey (MSS) showed that traditional cigarette smoking among both 11th and 9th
grade students fell by nearly one third since the survey was last conducted in
2013. These are the lowest rates ever recorded by the survey, with only 8.4% of
11th graders, and 4.3% of 9th grades reporting they had smoked cigarettes in
the past 30 days.
These declines follow extensive statewide
efforts to curb cigarette smoking including a 2013 tobacco tax, bans on indoor
smoking, and tighter restrictions on youth access to tobacco products. Results
also showed declines in 11th and 9th grade cigar product and smokeless tobacco
use.
However, the survey also showed a dramatic
and concerning increase in the number of students using e-cigarettes; use among
both 11th and 9th graders is now more than double that of cigarette use.
Products like e-cigarettes, e-hookahs and
vape pens typically contain liquid forms of nicotine, and are currently
unregulated. No amount of nicotine is safe for youth; it is highly addictive
and may harm adolescent brain development. Damaging long-term effects may have
implications for learning, memory, attention, behavior problems and future
addiction.
Additional
Data Highlights
• 50.2% of e-cigarette users reported using
at least one other kind of tobacco product.
• 34.5% of all tobacco users reported using menthol.
• 40.4% of all tobacco users reported using a flavor other than menthol.
• Despite declines in use among all groups, disparities persist among student
populations. 11th grade cigarette use rates were:
- 17.4% for American
Indians (2 times state average)
- 21.7% for students
experiencing severe economic hardship (2.6 times state average)
- 20.9% for bisexual, gay
or lesbian students (2.5 times state average)
- 20.4% for students
experiencing suicidal thoughts (2.4 times state average)
- 33.0% for students also
binge drink (3.9 times state average)
Note: Straight horizontal line is statewide
average percent (8.4%)
The Minnesota Student Survey is conducted every
three years among populations of Minnesota public schools. The census-like
survey asks questions about activities, experiences and behaviors. Topics
include: tobacco, alcohol and drug use, school climate, physical activity,
violence and safety, health, connections with school and family, and other
topics. In 2016, nearly 169,000 public school students participated in the
survey.
Learn more at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/mss.
Inspiring Bold Action: The Minnesota Tobacco
Control Conference
Date: Jan. 24-26, 2017
Location: RiverCentre, 175 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul
Cost: $100
The conference will
focus on three primary areas:
- Eliminating tobacco inequities: Disparities in
commercial tobacco use are very clear and use remains persistently high in
groups such as communities of color; indigenous communities; LGBT; urban
and rural populations; certain occupations; those with mental health or
substance use disorders; the homeless; and those with lower levels of
income or educational attainment.
- Taking bold steps through policy change that can help
to eliminate these inequities.
- Fulfilling the need for sustainable resources to support
the elimination of inequities. This includes engaging community
members, building community capacity and developing community leadership.
It also is designed to secure funding sources that are targeted toward the
implementation of community driven solutions.
Watch for more information
and registration details this fall.
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Rally Around Health
Systems Change for Treating Tobacco Dependence
Time: 10 a.m.–Noon
Date: Nov. 15
Location: Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd,
Maple Grove
This is a
multi-stakeholder, action-oriented event. Participants will learn from national
expert Dr. Michael Fiore from the University of Wisconsin and a panel of
providers. Participants will also hear how a variety of health systems have
implemented changes to improve how they have addressed tobacco use with their
patients.
Register here.
ClearWay Minnesota is
excited to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for local policy grants to
create a smoke-free generation. The RFP is posted at: http://www.clearwaymn.org/local-policy-grant-rfp.
This funding
opportunity is aimed at organizations and agencies that have:
- A strong track record of tobacco control work,
including passing policies;
- An interest in passing bold policies;
- Knowledge about their community and a sense of its
readiness for policy change;
- An ability to participate in lobbying activities at the
local and state levels; and
- An interest in being part of a dynamic cohort of
organizations that support and encourage each other to pass the most
impactful policies possible.
Here are a few key
dates to keep in mind:
- Full proposals are due Dec. 16
- Funding will begin for selected applicants on July 1,
2017
Questions about this RFP
can be submitted to Alexis Bylander, Senior Public Affairs Manager at abylander@clearwaymn.org / 952-767-1431.
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