Tobacco Control Program Newsletter

From left to right: Mark Boldt, Program Manager; Gina Roberts, Lead Regional Coordinator; Lorraine Reed, CDC Project Officer; Sarah Birckhead, Central Regional Coordinator; Rita Miller, Cessation Coordinator; Nicole Mayaen, Eastern Regional Coordinator; Tiffany Eustice, Northwest Regional Coordinator; and Kyle Girone, Epidemiologist.

Last month, our Tobacco Control Team welcomed Lorraine Reed, our CDC Project Officer, to Virginia. Our team presented on statewide, regional, and local efforts to prevent initiation of tobacco use, increase cessation, eliminate secondhand smoke, and reduce tobacco related disparities. She met with Central Office and Regional staff in addition to many of our state and community partners, including Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY), and Tobacco Free Alliance of Virginia (TFAV).  

On the last day of the site visit, we visited the VCU Massey Community Resource Center in Lawrenceville, where we met with Piedmont Community Services and the Tau Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. They have partnered together to create a tobacco free community for African Americans through education and prevention initiatives. You can see some of their ambassador campaign here. VCU Massey Cancer Center shared information on their We Can Quit tobacco cessation program and brought out one of their new Massey on the Move vans. Stay tuned to learn more about this program in a future newsletter! Not far from the community resource center was one of our Quit Now Virginia billboards, above. It was a great week to showcase the amazing tobacco control work that we are doing in Virginia.

Meet the Virginia Tobacco Control Program Team

👋Greetings! I am Mark Boldt, the new TCP Program Manager. I first became passionate about tobacco control when I joined 200 fellow cyclists in a cross-country bike ride for an American Lung Association fundraiser. Since then, I have worked in tobacco control in MA, TX, and AZ. While I have not been in Virginia long, I have already experienced the welcoming Southern hospitality everywhere I go. I live in the historic Shockoe Bottom neighborhood of Richmond. I enjoy learning about the rich cultural history of the area, walking on the pedestrian/bike trail that borders the James River, and discovering new bakeries and coffee shops. I am always in search of the perfect pizza! I have one adult son who lives in a suburb of Boston, MA.

Tobacco Treatment Specialists in the Local Community

One of the most significant outcomes of tobacco treatment specialist (TTS) training is a decrease in smoking rates among participants. Successful tobacco cessation can lead to immediate and long-term health improvements for individuals who quit smoking. This includes lowered risk of heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, and various types of cancers. Seeing participants experience these health benefits would be a positive result of the training. 

Effective training also leads to the establishment of stronger support networks and resources for individuals trying to quit smoking. This could include local clinics, quitlines, online platforms, and community-based programs led by trained specialists. 

It is important to note that the effectiveness of any training program depends on various factors, including the quality of training, the commitment of participants, and the ongoing support available. Quit Now Virginia now has twenty-two new TTSs that are more confident and competent as a result of their recent Duke-UNC TTS training. 

Data Highlight

**NOTE: Data are from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2021 Data Release, Division of Population Health Data, Virginia Department of Health. These data are estimates sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.

The graph above further underscores the current e-cigarette and vaping epidemic we’re experiencing here in Virginia and across the United States, particularly among youth and young adults. More than 50% of individuals aged 18-34 reported they’ve used an e-cigarette or vaping device at some point in their lifetime. As a reminder, Virginia offers free services for those aged 13 and up through our Quit Now Virginia services. Don’t let Big Tobacco control your day! Those who have a desire to quit using tobacco and nicotine products should visit our updated website located here and get started on their journey to a better, healthier life. 

Tobacco Control in the News

• The Cancer Coalition of Virginia (CACV) is excited to host the Virginia Cancer Conference 2023: Moving Forward Together. The conference is on September 28-29, 2023, at the Richmond Marriott Short Pump in Richmond, Virginia. 
  
  
• The Truth Initiative Tobacco/Vape-Free College Program is offering grants of up to $20,000 to colleges and universities to support the adoption and implementation of a 100% tobacco/vape-free policy. Please direct questions to Vera Kuma at vkuma@truthinitiative.org. The deadline to apply is October 12, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
  
  
• The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) announced a new round of three-year Tobacco Use Prevention funding. Online proposals are due by Monday, October 23, 2023. 
  
  
• CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health Launches Empower Vape-Free Youth Campaign. The goal of this campaign is to empower educators to speak with youth about the risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction and to encourage youth to avoid and/or quit vaping.
  
  
• CDC released new PLACES Data: Local Data for Better Health. CDC’s Division of Population Health released PLACES (Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates) data that includes new years of data across 36 health-related measures. These data can be used to identify and understand health disparities, establish health goals, and target programs and policies where you live. Current smoking among adults aged 18 years or older is one of the health risk behaviors measures. 
  
  
• Tips 2023 Sixth (and Final) Flight Creative Rotation Began August 21. The sixth flight creative rotation began August 21 and will run until the campaign ends on September 24. The creative rotation for this flight features: 
  • Geri M.’s Thanksgiving Tip
  • Michael F.’s Family
  • Rebecca C.’s You’re Really There
  • Tonya M.’s 38 Tip Memorial
• The gaming industry should factor into their responsible gaming best practices the impact of allowing indoor smoking. Next month, for the first time in its history, Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2023 will feature a panel discussion on smoking and casinos.

Please share with your partners!

TCP Resources

Free help to quit tobacco. 
Quit Coaches available for support.

• www.QuitNowVirginia.org
• 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669)
• Text READY to 34191

Online education for parents. 
A texting program for teens.

• Adults - Click here for free support to help a teen quit vaping.
• Youth - Text VapeFreeVA to 873-373

Reach out to your Tobacco Control Program Regional Coordinator for more information on:

• Becoming a Tobacco Free Worksite,
• Referring your patients and clients proactively to the Quit Now Virginia,
• Finding your local tobacco and nicotine coalition, or
• Scheduling a tobacco and nicotine related training for your staff or community.

VDH Tobacco Control Program Newsletter
September 2023 

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