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Several recent studies paint a concerning picture of vaping in America.
A CDC study released in June found that e-cigarette sales increased by 46.6% from January 2020 to December 2022.
Sales of prefilled devices decreased, while, sales of disposable devices, preferred by youth, increased. Sales of youth-appealing flavors - such as fruit, candy, and desserts - also increased.
This follows emerging data that show the tobacco industry is flooding the market with increasingly dangerous vape products.
According to the Truth Initiative, the number of unique e-cigarette products more than quadrupled from 453 to 2,023 between June 2021 and June 2022. At the same time, another study found that the average concentration of nicotine in e-cigarettes almost doubled between 2017 and 2022.
Altogether, the data is showing a dramatic increase of e-cigarette popularity at a time when more highly addictive products are available in youth-friendly flavors.
In Oklahoma, the data is nuanced. Vaping among teens appears to be decreasing, falling from 27.8% in 2019 to 21.7% in 2022. However, it is still well above the national average of 14.1%. And, without tax stamps on e-cigarettes, the state has to rely on surveys to gather data.
E-cigarette retailers are not required to be licensed, and there is no sales tax for vapes comparable to that on all other tobacco products. This gap in data makes it difficult to develop effective policies to protect Oklahoma youth and the future health of our state.
Read more about the recent studies HERE and HERE.
Perspective: Julie Bisbee in the Journal Record
The numbers are stunning. Tobacco kills more Oklahomans than alcohol, auto accidents, suicides, murders and illegal drugs combined.
The good news is the state is working to reduce the burden of tobacco. Recently, the Oklahoma State Department of Health and partners released a state plan to dramatically lower tobacco use by 2027.
Learn more about how the state tobacco plan offers a road map to lower tobacco use and ultimately improve health in the state.
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TSET is now accepting applications for projects that increase access to healthy choices, physical activity and nutrition by improving the built environment.
TSET Innovations in Built Environment grants are available to local governments, non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, tribal nations, institutions of higher education, and public agencies.
Grants up to $500,000 annually for one or two years is available for construction projects. Planning, design or policy development projects can receive up to $150,000 for one year.
Proposals are due September 1, 2023.
Click HERE for the full application and guidelines.
Episode 40 of the TSET Healthy Living Podcast examines the newly released state tobacco plan and federal court-ordered tobacco corrective statements at stores. Both aim to reduce tobacco use. Guests include Elizabeth Chery-Mullen of the Oklahoma State Department of Health and Chase Harvick, TSET campaign manager.
"The end goal of the state plan is to decrease the tobacco burden and disparities in
Oklahoma, which will lead to a decrease in chronic disease morbidity and mortality, and
of course, reduce of our healthcare costs," said Chery-Mullen. The plan " shows the collaborative effort that partners in tobacco control will take to ensure all Oklahomans live in a tobacco-free state."
Available on TSET's website and everywhere podcasts are listened to: Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher, PodBean, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
'Tis the season for fresh fruits and vegetables!
Did you know that Shape Your Future has an interactive map of Farmers Markets in Oklahoma?
Find one near you HERE!
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TSET is staffed by a dedicated and passionate group of people. This month, we would like to introduce Shaun Lawrence.
Shaun Lawrence is the administrative assistant for TSET. Prior to joining TSET, he worked as a debt collector manager in training and as a team lead for GC Services LP in Oklahoma City for four years.
Lawrence has an extensive background in customer service, with experience in service at Xerox and US Cellular and as a night team lead at Mathis Brothers.
Read about the rest of the team HERE.
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