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Tobacco Control Program Newsletter |
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 VDH Tobacco Control Program Team. From left to right: Mark Boldt, Program Manager; Tiffany Eustice, Regional Coordinator; Sarah Birckhead, Regional Coordinator; Rita Miller, Cessation Coordinator; Gina Roberts, Lead Regional Coordinator; Nicole Mayaen, Regional Coordinator; and Kyle Girone, Epidemiologist and Evaluator.
The Tobacco Control Program (TCP) Team had the opportunity to meet recently, review our current strategies and activities, and plan for the upcoming year. Our team remains committed to reducing tobacco use in Virginia through evidence-based policy change. We continue to work on being a relevant resource for our communities by updating our tobacco control efforts to meet the needs of all Virginians, collaborating with partners, and improving our Quit Now Virginia cessation services.
Tiffany represented the team at the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics' (VAFCC) Annual Conference. This was a great opportunity to network and share information about Quit Now Virginia services. To learn more about the annual conference or how to get involved with VAFCC, visit https://www.vafreeclinics.org/. |
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We know New Year's resolutions may include a desire to quit using tobacco and nicotine products. If you have a social media account or newsletter and are able to share one of our holiday or New Year’s themed messages, please reach out to TobaccoControl@vdh.virginia.gov.
🎉The TCP Team wishes you a peaceful and joyful holiday season!
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Meet Our TCP Partners
Established in 1999 by the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) empowers Virginia’s youth to make healthy choices by reducing and preventing youth tobacco and nicotine use, substance use, and childhood obesity.
VFHY takes a comprehensive approach to prevention work, including reaching about 50,000 children each year through classroom-based prevention programs in public schools, after-school programs, community centers, daycares, and prevention programs across the state. VFHY’s award-winning marketing campaigns deliver prevention messaging to over 500,000 children annually. In addition, VFHY’s research program provides scientific insight into methods to reduce tobacco use effectively. Since 2002, VFHY has funded 40 large research projects at universities throughout Virginia.
Join VFHY on December 13 for the next Empower Series Workshop titled, "The New Emerging Triangle." For more information about VFHY's efforts either visit www.vfhy.org or send an email to bsmith@vfhy.org.
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Navigating Holiday Stress: The Relationship Between Seasonal Pressures and Tobacco Use
The holiday season, often associated with joy and festivities, can unexpectedly become a source of heightened stress for many individuals. As the pressures of gift-giving, family gatherings, and financial strain intensify, some people turn to coping mechanisms that may be detrimental to their health. One such coping strategy is tobacco use, which can exacerbate the negative effects of stress on both physical and mental well-being. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, temporarily provides a sense of relief or relaxation. However, in the long run, it contributes to increased stress levels and worsens overall health.
Recognizing the harmful effects of tobacco use during the holiday season is the first step toward healthier coping methods. There are numerous resources available to those seeking support in quitting tobacco. One such valuable resource is Quit Now Virginia, which provides free and confidential assistance to individuals looking to quit tobacco and nicotine. Trained counselors offer guidance, tips, and personalized support to help individuals overcome the challenges of breaking free from nicotine addiction. This holiday season, let's prioritize our well-being and embrace healthier ways to navigate the festivities, ensuring a happier and healthier start to the new year.
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Data Highlight
 **NOTE: Data are obtained from Virginia’s quit services vendor, RVO Health (2022 & 2023).
The Virginia Department of Health Tobacco Control Program has worked hard to improve utilization of Virginia’s quit services (1-800-Quit Now and QuitNowVirginia.org). Throughout 2023, we saw marked improvements across many population groups which can be observed in the amount of referral, registration, and unique user totals graphed above. Each team member within our program works tirelessly to promote and educate Virginians about the many resources provided for FREE! From one-on-one coaching to group counseling and even nicotine-replacement therapy, Quit Now Virginia continues to evolve to meet the needs of our constituents. If you or someone you know is interested in quitting, Quit Now Virginia is just one call or click away! And remember, you don’t have to quit today, but you can start today.
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Tobacco Control in the News
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The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth is excited to announce its Best Value Request for Proposals (RFP) funding opportunity for research projects. Individual grant awards will not exceed $150,000 per year for projects with a duration of 1-3 years to implement research projects studying tobacco use prevention among youth. All RFP instructions found here.
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White House Delays Menthol Cigarette Ban. On Wednesday, December 6, the White House Administration announced that it will delay its release of final rules to eliminate menthol in cigarettes and all flavors in cigars, which is estimated to lead to a 15% decline in smoking by 2026 and to save 650,000 lives by 2060.
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The National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco and Cancer Control released an infographic on Menthol and Mental Health.
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CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) has released Menthol Fact Sheets for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These fact sheets were developed to help OSH awardees and partners with their programmatic planning and educational efforts, given the significant risk menthol cigarettes pose to public health.
- The CDC, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has released State-Specific Prevalence of Adult Tobacco Product Use and Cigarette Smoking Cessation Behaviors, United States, 2018–2019, in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease.
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CDC Foundation has posted its most recent National and State Data Briefs highlighting national and state trends in e-cigarette sales from January 2018 through September 2023. These data briefs provide an update on trends in unit sales of e-cigarettes in the United States by product and flavor type. In addition, the national brief now lists the 10 top-selling e-cigarette brands and their combined market share, and includes a figure with dollar sales of e-cigarettes.
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CDC’s Million Hearts Tools for Clinicians and Health Systems can help practices and health systems set up effective systems to support cessation. CDC has also supported the American Academy of Pediatrics in creating resources to support youth cessation.
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Geography Matters. A new study, The effect of neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage on smoking status, quit attempts, and receipt of cessation support among adults with cancer, finds that cancer patients in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to report smoking, but less likely to report receiving cessation support. US Census data can identify census tracts with high poverty rates, allowing for tailored media and communications to reach those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
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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. There is a gift card incentive. If you would like the flyers to share or have any questions, please email youthvape@evms.edu
Please share with your partners!
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Free help to quit tobacco.
Quit Coaches available for support.
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Online education for parents.
A texting program for teens.
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- 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.
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VDH Tobacco Control Program Newsletter
December 2023
   
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