|
Last week, the FDA announced it will ban the sale of Juul e-cigarettes, blocking the company from its largest market.
According to the FDA, Juul was unable to provide sufficient evidence of safety, including damage to user's DNA and if harmful chemicals could leak out of the pods.
"As with all manufacturers, Juul had the opportunity to provide evidence demonstrating that the marketing of their products meets these standards [set by law]. However, the company did not provide that evidence and instead left us with significant questions," said Michele Mital, acting director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products. "Without the data needed to determine relevant health risks, the FDA is issuing these marketing denial orders."
A federal appeals court granted Juul a delay on the ban while they appeal the FDA's decision.
This comes on the heels of changes made by Congress in March to close a loophole in nicotine regulation. Lawmakers passed language requiring synthetic nicotine products to be regulated by the FDA in the same way that tobacco-derived nicotine products are regulated.
The safety of synthetic nicotine, which is created in a laboratory, remains unknown as many producers do not disclose their ingredients. However, nicotine use during adolescence can disrupt healthy brain development and is correlated with a higher risk of nicotine addiction throughout the individual's life.
Pre-proposals for the first round of TSET Discovery Grants are due Friday, July 8.
Available to 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations, public entities and institutions of common and higher education across the state, TSET Discovery Grants open the door to fund projects that improve the health of Oklahomans but do not fit within other TSET programs.
Maximum awards will vary by project and can be approved for up to three years. Matching requirements vary by award amount. TSET has set aside up to $3 million per fiscal year for the program.
The TSET Healthy Living Program staff in Kay County hosted “Oklahoma Towns: Walkability + Placemaking Summit” on June 14 in Ponca City.
Left to right: Jenny Creech and Sarah Davis, TSET HLP for Kay County Coordinators
The conference on making walkable and vibrant communities attracted participants from across Oklahoma. A walking digital storytelling pre-conference event in downtown Newkirk preceded the conference the day before.
Left to right: Ron Frantz and Shane Hampton
The conference featured Ron Frantz and Shane Hampton, placemaking experts from the University of Oklahoma’s Institute for Quality Communities.
Hampton shared a morning panel with Doug Walton, a TSET HLP coordinator who discussed Muskogee’s efforts to be more walkable, and Kelly Martin of Tonkawa Public Schools, who explained how a TSET Healthy Incentive Grant for schools led to several improvements at the elementary school.
Frantz closed the summit by sharing key health statistics to explain why it’s important for Oklahoma cities and towns to promote walkability and physical activity.
TSET's Food System Impact Grants facilitated the distribution of more than 100,000 meals to seniors, youth and needy families, and the expansion of a program to increase access to fruits and vegetables for Oklahomans.
Beginning in August 2020, the seven funded grants, totaling $1 million, targeted hunger in Oklahoma by supporting senior nutrition and meals, community access to fresh produce, nutrition and physical activity education, infrastructure for programs serving youth and mobile food access to rural populations.
The grants also established relationships with numerous partners to leverage additional funding and enhanced services for their target populations. In total, the seven grants generated $2.47 million in direct assistance and $644,000 in in-kind assistance.
TSET continues to invest in public education efforts to help Oklahomans lead healthier lives.
Keep an eye out for new messages from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, Shape Your Future, Tobacco Stops With Me and the TSET Healthy Youth Initiative to roll out in the next several months. These include compelling Helpline testimonials out of Perkins and Oklahoma City, as well as tobacco prevention messages from Behind The Haze and Down and Dirty – campaigns of the TSET HYI.
Perspective: Julie Bisbee in The Journal Record
Read about how private investors, nonprofit organizations, foundations and local government came together to increase food access and improve health in one of Oklahoma's most well-known food deserts.
|
In episode 28 of the TSET Better Health Podcast, hear strategies for shopping for healthy foods at smaller stores. Pat Dehart, a diabetes educator nurse, walks us through what healthy options are available in dollar and convenient stores. Lydia Kelley, executive director of Loaves & Fishes, details the services her client-choice food pantry provides, who can qualify, and why it’s so meaningful. And Dylan Jasna, new member of the TSET Health Communication team, shares the wealth of resources available through Shape Your Future, a healthy lifestyle promotion program of TSET.
"The key to good health and the key to healthy eating and selection is planning," said Dehart. "So, before you go to the store, think about what meals you're going to make over the next couple of days. List those items, and stick to those items that you need in order to accomplish those meals."
Available on TSET's website and everywhere podcasts are listened to: Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher, PodBean, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
|
