TSET's 20th Anniversary Report is now available!
Read the full report to learn the history of Big Tobacco and TSET, what has changed in TSET's first two decades and where Oklahoma stands today.
TSET released the report and celebrated two decades of improving health in Oklahoma during a live Virtual Celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who helped negotiate the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, looked back at the landmark lawsuit. Jari Askins discussed the lead up to State Question 692, which established TSET via constitutional amendment in November 2000. Askins has served the state of Oklahoma in a variety of capacities for more than 30 years and was instrumental in getting SQ 692 on the ballot.
Casey Killblane, who served on the TSET Board of Directors for 19 years and as board chair twice, discussed the impact of TSET's work and voters' reaffirmation of TSET in 2020. Current TSET Board of Directors Chair Michelle Stephens considered what is in store for the future of TSET and health in Oklahoma.
Shaun Pryor of Edmond shared his experience quitting tobacco with the help of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline and Executive Director Julie Bisbee moderated a Q&A session with the panel.
Watch a recording of the 20th Anniversary Celebration HERE.
FROM THE JOURNAL RECORD:
At their quarterly board meeting in January, the TSET Board of Directors awarded TSET Healthy Community Incentive Grants to six Oklahoma communities, totaling $136,000.
Grants are awarded to communities that have implemented key strategies to create an environment that encourages Oklahomans to live healthier, more active and tobacco-free lives.
TSET congratulates the following communities for their commitment to healthy living:
- Town of Lahoma in Garfield County: $22,000
- City of Shidler in Osage County: $10,000
- Town of Marble City in Sequoyah County: $36,000
- Town of Wellston in Lincoln County: $22,000
- Town of Tipton in Tillman County: $36,000
- City of Wynnewood in Garvin County: $10,000
The next application period for TSET Healthy Community Incentive Grants opens March 1, 2022. Click HERE more information or contact Laura Matlock, program officer, at lauram@tset.ok.gov or by calling 405-764-4668.
REMINDER: Grant applications for Policy and Built Environment Change or Innovations in Active Living and Healthy Eating are due March 15
Policy and Built Environment
- Funds projects that enhance community infrastructure to improve health
- Maximum award of $350,000 per year for two years
- Requires a 1:1 match
Innovations in Active Living and Healthy Eating
- Funds initiatives that promote regular physical activity and nutritious eating on a large scale (multiple sites)
- Maximum award of $250,000 per year for two years
- Match preferred but not required
Oklahoma communities, non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, tribal nations, institutions of higher learning and public agencies are invited to apply.
In episode 21 of the TSET Better Health Podcast, take a look back at the last 20 years of TSET with former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson and former State Representative Ray Vaughn, who were among the prominent bipartisan coauthors and advocates for TSET’s creation. Executive Director Julie Bisbee explores how the mission has grown and what’s in store for the future. Follow the journey from humble beginnings as a simple state question to Oklahoma’s public health powerhouse as TSET celebrates its 20th anniversary.
"Looking back, the thing I am most proud of is the fact that we captured those dollars in the settlement and placed them into trust with the state treasurer,” said Vaughn. “We owe that to the people, because that's what we said we were going to do with the money.”
Available on TSET's website and everywhere podcasts are listened to: Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher, PodBean, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
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