 On Nov. 12, TSET Board of Directors awarded grants to two communities and 11 school districts. TSET has awarded over $3 million in incentive grants since 2012.
TSET Awards 13 Healthy Incentive Grants
The TSET Board of Directors recently approved 13 incentive grants for communities and school districts through the TSET Healthy Incentive Program. The funds are awarded to communities and school districts that have implemented key strategies to create environments that encourage Oklahomans to eat better, move more and be tobacco free. The cities of Allen and McAlester each received a TSET Healthy Incentive Program for Communities’ grant, while 11 districts received a TSET Healthy Incentive Program for Schools grant. Learn more.
 TSET Healthy Living grantees worked with retailers to increase access to healthy foods including 40 Healthy Retail resolutions, 169 Community Gardens implemented or improved, 46 Farmers Markets and 256 retailers.
TSET is achieving milestones in health through its tobacco prevention and wellness initiatives. A recent report showed that its five-year Healthy Living Program initiative invested in 47 community groups partnering with more than 2,000 local organizations, schools, businesses and local governments throughout Oklahoma. TSET Healthy Living grants worked in 62 counties while creating a legacy of health for more than 2.4 million Oklahomans. Read more.
 In Oklahoma, 71% of vape users report that electronic cigarettes were the first tobacco product they ever tried.
A new survey shows two serious health challenges facing today’s youth: vaping products lure youth to tobacco products and create nicotine addiction, and kids do not consume enough fruits and vegetables. The online survey was conducted in August and September 2020 with more than 400 youth statewide participating. The TSET Board of Directors heard the update on phase one of TSET’s Healthy Youth Initiative during the Board’s quarterly meeting.
“Today’s youth face incredible health challenges, from the rapid rise in electronic cigarette use to intense marketing of sugar sweetened beverages and unhealthy foods,” said Michelle Stephens, the Board’s vice chair. “Improving health outcomes in Oklahoma starts with our children, and that is why the TSET Board of Directors made this investment in our state’s future.” Read more.
TSET joined the American Cancer Society on Nov. 19 in promoting its 45th Great American Smokeout. The event, which occurs on the third Thursday in November each year, encourages smokers to quit for the day.
TSET Public Information and Outreach Director Thomas Larson (photo) spoke with KFOR-TV about the annual event and what it means to Oklahomans. Larson noted that the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, a program of TSET, is available to help Oklahomans year-round. The Helpline has served more than 450,000 Oklahomans by offering judgment-free help to tobacco users looking to make a change. In addition to online tips and resources, the Helpline provides FREE services including text and email support and free patches, gum or lozenges. Quit coaches also are available 24/7
Also learn what the Muskogee Phoenix Editorial Board has to say about the Great American Smokeout..
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 Episode 9 features an interview with a Tulsa Public Schools' educator who talks about how difficult it is to detect vaping among students due to the lack of smell.
In the latest episode, TSET Better Health Podcast hosts discuss why the Great American Smokeout is a great time to contact the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline for free resources for quitting tobacco and how TSET has worked for 20 years to lower tobacco use and its deadly toll on Oklahomans. The episode also looks at current and future challenges, such as the rise and dangers of youth vaping and what is being done in Oklahoma to curtail it. Visit tset.ok.gov/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts
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