Tobacco-Free
Communities Grant Program
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Trusted Group is Shifting Hmong Cultural Practices around Tobacco Use
Hmong American Partnership envisions a healthier, commercial tobacco-free community
 Handing out cigarettes at weddings and funerals has been a traditional
cultural practice in Hmong culture. Now Hmong American Partnership is finding
newer, healthier traditions that will lead to a tobacco-free future for Hmong
people.
Read more.
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The 2018 Somali American Festival Week’s soccer tournament took place at
the stadium of St. Thomas University June 30 – July 7. More than 30 teams
from across the U.S. competed for the trophy. In between the soccer activities,
the staff at WellShare
International’s East African Smoke Free Program used incentives and
games to engage attendees in health education about the harms of commercial tobacco
as well as shisha (tobacco used in a hookah). Community members who stopped at
WellShare’s tent expressed their reasons for not using tobacco.
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More resources and tools
New nicotine addiction health advisory and updated school e-cigarette toolkit
 The Minnesota Department of Health released a new health advisory on nicotine and
the escalating risk of addiction for youth.
Youth
e-cigarette use has risen dramatically in Minnesota in the last three years,
with an almost 50 percent increase in high school student e-cigarette use since
2014. This is a major public health concern. Youth use of nicotine increases
their risk of addiction, and can make them more susceptible to addiction to
tobacco products and other substances in the future.
Nearly
all e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and popular e-cigarettes, like JUUL, are
sleek and concealable and often used in schools by students. It is important
that school staff are familiar with these products and that they have the
resources to educate students on the risks of e-cigarette use. To help address
youth e-cigarette use in schools, the Minnesota Department of Health also
released a toolkit outlining resources and opportunities for action by school
administrators, educators, teachers, and health services staff.
The
Minnesota Department of Health recommends immediate action requiring the
participation of parents, educators, health care providers, and policy makers.
Access these resources and more at www.health.mn.gov/ecigarettes.
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Free help to quit smoking
Most people who smoke want to quit. The good news is that free
help is available to all Minnesotans. QUITPLAN®
Services offers a variety of tools, including coaching, quit guides,
and starter kits with patches, gum, or lozenges, and Minnesota residents with
Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare also have free access to counseling and
medications with a prescription.
Learn more about free help
for Quitting Tobacco.
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The
Tobacco-Free Communities Grant Program funds local community grants and
technical assistance and training grants that aim to reduce and prevent youth
tobacco use and address tobacco-related disparities in Minnesota by promoting
community-driven tobacco prevention and control activities and strategies.
Learn more about the Tobacco-Free
Communities Grant Program.
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