|
Tobacco Control Program Newsletter |
|
 The Tobacco Control Program (TCP) had the opportunity to tour one of the two new Massey on the Move vans. Through Massey on the Move, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center's Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) team is able to travel to urban and rural communities and expand their work to reduce cancer health disparities and improve outcomes by promoting the importance of healthy living and regular screenings which help prevent and diagnose cancer early.
This van features original artwork by Sir James Thornhill; moreover, the other van highlights work from Hamilton Glass. They are both Richmond-area artists.
On the right side of the van, there is an awning that can expand, which will be helpful at community events to provide protection from sun and rain. It also helps expand the space of the van to provide services.Â
|
The inside of the van provides a safe and private area to talk to members of the community. In the top left corner of this picture, there is a television that can face out or be flipped to display information inside. Â
These new mobile health education units are a great addition to the services Massey provides. They will be able to provide cancer education and outreach to underserved communities in Massey's catchment area, including the eastern, central, and southern portions of the state. Please contact VCU Massey COE at engagemassey@vcu.edu for more information.
In the next section of our newsletter, we usually introduce members of our TCP team. Since we have featured our entire team, we will highlight our community partners and the wonderful work they are doing! For our first featured partner, we continue to share resources from VCU Massey Cancer Center.
|
|
|
Meet Our TCP Partners
We consider VCU Massey Cancer Center as part of our extended team. We have worked with them in various ways to prevent and reduce tobacco use in Virginia. They have a great cessation program called We CAN (Conquer Addiction to Nicotine) Quit. This is a free community-based service that connects people with quit coaches and other supportive resources to help them stop using tobacco. Quit coaches can provide one-on-one sessions, help develop a personalized quit plan, and provide ongoing support, including connecting people to additional resources.
To the right, you can see Michael Gesme and Dominique Graves, who are part of the Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) team, show off a Massey on the Move van. With these vans, they are able to provide We CAN Quit services to additional communities. For more information on the vans or We CAN Quit, please reach out to VCU Massey COE at engagemassey@vcu.edu.
|
|
|
Breast Cancer and Tobacco/Nicotine Usage
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer and tobacco/nicotine use are not directly linked in the same way as tobacco use is linked to lung cancer or other respiratory diseases. However, there is some evidence suggesting that there may be a potential link between tobacco/nicotine use and an increased risk of breast cancer, although the relationship is complex and not fully understood.
Exposure to secondhand smoke, which contains many of the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke, has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in some studies. Prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke may have a more significant impact.
It is essential to consider that breast cancer risk is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Smoking is just one of many potential risk factors, and its impact on breast cancer risk may be influenced by other factors such as age, family history, and alcohol consumption.
Breast cancer risk is influenced by multiple factors, and quitting smoking is generally recommended for overall health and to reduce the risk of other cancers and diseases. If your patient/client has concerns about breast cancer or tobacco use, it's important to have them consult with a healthcare professional and utilize the services of Quit Now Virginia at 1-800-Quit Now or QuitNowVirginia.org for personalized guidance and support.
|
|
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 perception that smokeless tobacco use rates are low in Virginia is fair relative to other forms of tobacco consumption across the Commonwealth. However, Virginia’s five-year average use rate of smokeless tobacco (3.7%) is higher than the 2021 national average (2.1%) as reported by the National Institutes of Health. Somewhat shockingly, the group accounting for the highest smokeless tobacco use rate is those aged 25-34. We often consider the younger populations as the groups who are transitioning away from traditional tobacco use, yet they are still heavily represented here. Certainly, there are some cultural differences in tobacco use behavior depending on what part of Virginia you are examining. The Southwest Region of Virginia has substantially higher rates of smokeless tobacco use when compared to the other health regions of Virginia. Ensuring the appropriate resources are available for every type of tobacco and nicotine user is of the upmost importance to the Virginia Department of Health Tobacco Control Program. If you or someone you know is interested in FREE cessation services, please visit our Quit Now Virginia website! Â
|
|
Tobacco Control in the News
-
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.Â
-
Lung Cancer Screening Landscape Webinar on November 8th from 12 PM - 1 PM. Join the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center to learn about the latest lung cancer screening information including guidelines, best practices, issues, and policies with a focus on interventions that can reduce barriers to cancer screening. Meeting Registration - Zoom
-
EVMS is looking for your input on vaping. There are three short surveys relating to youth in Virginia: one for teens; another for parents, guardians, or any adult caregiver of teens; and the third is for teachers, medical professionals, or any adults working with teens. The surveys are open until December, and there is a gift card incentive. If you have any questions, please email youthvape@evms.edu
-
Know the Risks: A Youth Guide to E-Cigarettes & Know the Risks: A Parent’s Guide to E-cigarettes and Youth presentations are now live. Both presentations can be found at Know the Risks: A Guide to E-cigarettes Presentations | Electronic Cigarettes | Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC.
-
Have you noticed these signs around your community? On July 1, major U.S. tobacco companies began to post eye-catching signs telling the public the truth about the deadly consequences of cigarette smoking at about 220,000 retail stores across the nation that sell cigarettes. Under a federal court order, the signs had to be installed near cigarette displays in these stores between July 1 – September 30 and must be displayed until June 30, 2025. A federal court order formalized the agreement in December.
-
The link between cannabis and tobacco. Cannabis and tobacco products (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco products) are two of the most commonly used substances among U.S. youth, and many teens are combining the two products. This fact sheet presents information about the current state of legalization and changing state laws regarding cannabis, the evolving product landscape, as well as cannabis use patterns among youth and adults and the health effects resulting from such use.Â
Please share with your partners!
|
|
|
Free help to quit tobacco.Â
Quit Coaches available for support.
|
|
Online education for parents.Â
A texting program for teens.
|
|
- 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
October 2023Â
   
Manage Preferences  | Unsubscribe | Subscriber Help
Did someone forward this newsletter to you?
To receive future newsletters and/or TFT Webinar invitations in your inbox or ask questions, email
TobaccoControl@vdh.virginia.gov
|
|
|
|
|
