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Tobacco Control Program Newsletter |
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Targeted marketing of menthol cigarettes to youth and African Americans sheds light on why over 50% of young adults and 80% of African American smokers use menthol cigarettes. Now there is scientific evidence that the pharmacology of menthol combined with targeted tobacco industry marketing creates a perfect storm for inter-generational nicotine addiction and continued racial disparities in cigarette use.
An exhaustive research review by the FDA Center for Tobacco Products concludes that compared to regular cigarettes, menthol cigarettes increase smoking initiation, are associated with greater nicotine dependence in young adults, and reduce cessation success among African Americans. Research on brain mapping shows that individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes have a higher number of nicotine receptors in the brain than those who smoke non-menthol cigarettes. This finding suggests that smoking menthol cigarettes may increase nicotine addiction.
Many public health advocates believe that final adoption of the FDA Rule banning menthol cigarettes will be a watershed moment in Tobacco Control. In Canada, after adoption of a menthol cigarette ban, over 21% percent of people who smoke menthol cigarettes decided to quit smoking rather than switch to a non-menthol cigarette. If a similar pattern occurred in the US after adoption of a menthol ban, an estimated 115,000 Virginians that smoked menthol cigarettes would quit smoking.Â
📣 In team news, the VDH Tobacco Control Program is excited to announce the selection of Sarah Birckhead as the new Policy and Outreach Coordinator! Many of you know Sarah from her work as the Central Region Tobacco Control Coordinator for the past 8 years as well as from the team’s monthly Tobacco Free Tuesday webinars. In her new role, Sarah will develop and coordinate TCP communications to support tobacco prevention and cessation efforts; moreover, she will oversee VDH tobacco control media campaigns. Working statewide with community-based partners, she will also work to expand tobacco control policies and partnerships that support Virginians in living tobacco free.
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Meet the Virginia Tobacco Control Program Team
👋 Hello! My name is Natalie Gospodinoff, and I am the new Regional Coordinator of the Northern Region. I have been living in this area for three years now, after moving from Buenos Aires, Argentina. My passion for tobacco control was first sparked during my work as a smoking cessation specialist, where I helped people with addiction to nicotine. I then worked on implementing effective tobacco control policies and educational activities to promote smoking cessation. I am thrilled to join the TCP team, continue contributing to public health, and support healthy communities.
In my free time, I love to spend time with my husband and two teenage boys, visit DC’s attractions, and try out new restaurants and coffee shops. I am an avid runner and enjoy exploring this area’s many trails and parks.
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Guarding the Heart: The Critical Role of Protecting Against Tobacco and Nicotine
In an era where health awareness is on the rise, it's imperative to shed light on the profound impact of tobacco and nicotine on heart health. The heart, a vital organ that tirelessly pumps life-giving blood throughout our bodies, is a delicate system that requires meticulous care. Unfortunately, tobacco and nicotine, prevalent components of cigarettes and various vaping products, pose severe threats to cardiovascular well-being.
One of the most dangerous aspects of tobacco and nicotine is their ability to silently damage heart health. The damage often occurs gradually, with symptoms showing only when the condition has reached an advanced stage. By then, the harm is extensive and challenging to reverse. Consequently, protecting the heart from these harmful substances becomes paramount.
The rising popularity of vaping among the youth adds a new dimension to the challenge of protecting hearts. E-cigarettes, often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, still deliver nicotine in a highly addictive form. Young hearts are susceptible to the detrimental effects of nicotine, potentially setting the stage for a lifetime of cardiovascular issues.
Protecting your heart from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine is not just a choice; it's a responsibility. By fostering a culture of awareness and making informed decisions about our lifestyles, we can collectively build a society where hearts beat strong and free from the shadows of tobacco and nicotine-related threats. For help quitting tobacco or nicotine, visit: https://quitnowvirginia.org/.
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Data/Research Highlight
On Monday, February 12th the Virginia Department of Health, Tobacco Control Program (TCP) launched its new Tobacco Use Among Adults in Virginia Data Dashboard! This new tool highlights tobacco and nicotine use rates in Virginia using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The dashboard includes data from 2017 to 2021, and the VDH TCP will update the dashboard as new data become available. Â
The dashboard presents tobacco and nicotine use data by VDH health districts and VDH health regions as well as state-wide demographics. Counts and rates are available for use types of current smokers, smokeless tobacco users, current e-cigarette users, individuals who have ever used an e-cigarette, and data associated with overall nicotine use. Â
The Tobacco Use Among Adults in Virginia dashboard can be accessed using this link. Provide your feedback about the dashboard to guide future enhancements by completing the brief survey located at the bottom of the dashboard page! Â
We encourage you to share this resource widely with your colleagues and community partners! Thank you for taking the time to explore and provide feedback on the VDH Tobacco Control Program’s newest resource!
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Tobacco Control in the News
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The 22nd annual American Lung Association "State of Tobacco Control" report evaluates states and the federal government on the proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies necessary to save lives. See how Virginia ranks: https://www.lung.org/research/sotc/state-grades/virginia.
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The 2024 CDC's Tips From Former Smokers (Tips) Campaign launched this month and introduces seven new people and includes messaging about the harms of smoking menthol cigarettes. The ads will run through September 22 on national broadcast and cable TV, and on digital and social media channels. A new free resource this year includes Motivational "Quitspiration" cards.
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On January 18th, the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council organized a "Menthol Funeral" to protest the administration's delay in finalizing the FDA's rules to eliminate menthol cigarettes and mourn the 45,000 Black Americans who die each year from smoking-related diseases. Â
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Mexico implemented the world's strictest anti-tobacco laws. This includes no smoking in public places, including hotels, beaches, and parks. There will also be a total ban on the promotion, advertising, and sponsorship of tobacco products.
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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. Proposals are due on February 15th.
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The Virginia Conference on Youth Tobacco Use will be held in Richmond on April 15th and 16th. Rita Miller, the TCP Cessation Coordinator, will present on Live Vape Free. Find the agenda and register by April 1st.
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Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program Funding Announcement - Youth substance use remains a leading public health concern. The (DFC) Program provides community coalitions with grant funding and an extensive, national support system to mobilize local youth substance use prevention efforts. There are two notices of funding opportunities (NOFO) available on www.grants.gov for community-based coalitions that have never received DFC funding before and for those who have. Applications open on February 15th and are due on April 17th.
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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.Â
Quit Coaches available for support.
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Online education for parents.Â
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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