Smoking Prevention / Public News Service

Missouri law allows Medigap enrollees to change Medicare insurance plans at the same coverage level during their anniversary window. (Andrey/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Open enrollment means researching your healthcare options

Missourians have plenty of choices when it comes to health insurance coverage - and it's time to gear up for making those decisions. For people on …

Nearly 85% of youth who vape report using flavored e-cigarettes and more than half said they use disposable e-cigarettes, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Local KY Communities Tackle Youth Vaping Crisis

Widespread vaping among young Kentuckians continues to be a public health concern - and some local communities are coming up with innovative ways to t…

A study analyzing Massachusetts' menthol ban found there were some increases in cross-border sales of menthols, although they weren't statistically significant. (Adobe Stock)

Law Enforcement Ponders How to Enforce Menthol Cigarette Ban

The Food and Drug Administration will be releasing guidance on its proposed menthol cigarette ban by month's end. In Virginia, these cigarettes make …

In Arkansas, sale and distribution of vapor products, e-liquids or any component thereof are prohibited to be sold to persons younger than age 21, unless the person is an active-duty member of the military. (And.one/AdobeStock)

Report Calls for Ending Disposable Vape Sales in Arkansas

In Arkansas and across the country, disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat, according to a recent report. The U.S. Public …

A study showed thousands of e-cigarette exposure cases reported to U.S. poison centers in the past year, most of which were among kids younger than 5 years old. (Oleg/AdobeStock)

Report: Recommends Ending Disposable Vape Sales in Mississippi

A recent report found disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat in Mississippi and across the country. The U.S. Public Interest …

While cigarette pollution takes up to 10 years to degrade, disposable vapes are not biodegradable. Experts said the cartridges endanger ocean creatures inadvertently consuming the plastics. (Adobe Stock)

Disposable Vapes Raise Hazardous Waste Concerns

Disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat in Georgia and across the country, according to a new report. The U.S. Public Interest …

Disposable vapes are encased in plastic shells which never fully degrade. (Adobe Stock)

Report Calls for Ending Disposable Vape Sales in AL

Disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat in Alabama and across the country, according to a new report. The U.S. Public Interest …

The CDC Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates that each month in the United States, consumers purchase 11.9 million in disposable e-cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

A Push to End Disposable Vape Sales in NC

Disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat in North Carolina and across the country, according to a new report. The U.S. Public …

A 2022 Virginia Department of Health survey shows 37% of young people in Virginia felt they had easy access to tobacco products. Meanwhile, more than half (51%) began smoking or vaping as soon as they came of age. (Adobe Stock)

VA Could See Low-Nicotine Cigarettes By End of 2023

Virginia is one of several U.S. states that could see low-nicotine cigarettes rolled out by year's end. Created by 22nd Century Group, these …

Young people are learning how to get their peers to open up about mental health and substance use challenges, and how to connect them with trusted adults and mental health professionals. (Adobe Stock)

Tapping Teens to Connect Youth in Mental Distress with Support

One in five teens in the U.S. will experience a mental health challenge before they turn 18, but 64% of them won't seek help. A new training program …

More than 60% of rural counties lack a psychiatrist, and almost half do not have a psychologist, compared with 27% and 19% of urban counties, respectively. (Adobe Stock)

Addressing Challenges to Behavioral Health Care in Rural Wyoming

A new report spotlights some of the challenges to accessing behavioral health care for the one in seven Americans who live in rural areas. Kendall …

According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2.8% (14,400) high school students smoke in Virginia. The percentage of high schoolers who use e-cigarettes is 14.3%, slightly higher than the percentage of adults who smoke, 12.4%. (Adobe Stock)

VA Groups Aim to Reduce Youth Tobacco Use

Virginia groups are using different methods to warn young people about the dangers of smoking. Along with tobacco-free parks, the state has taken …

Signs someone could be having a stroke and needs immediate emergency care include loss of speech, vision or the inability to move their arms or legs or maintain balance. (Adobe Stock)

National Stroke Awareness Month Spotlights Environmental Factors

Cardiovascular diseases are the world's leading cause of disability and death, and are responsible for nearly a million deaths each year in the U.S.…

After finding out he had high blood pressure, Bowling Green resident Harlan Holmes went from a sedentary lifestyle to running marathons. (Holmes)

As COVID Subsides, Kentuckians Focus on Healthy Habits

The "Raise Your Guard" Campaign is encouraging Kentuckians to be more physically active, minimize stress, load up on fruits and vegetables, and …

Smoking prevention groups said because there are thousands of flavored tobacco products on the market, teens are gravitating toward them and picking up health risks along the way. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Flavored Tobacco Ban for MN Back on Table

Youth advocates continue to sound the alarm over the impact flavored tobacco products have on teenagers, and hope Minnesota lawmakers take another …

Among adolescents who currently use any tobacco product, the proportion whose first tobacco product was e-cigarettes increased from 27.2% in 2014 to 78.3% in 2019 and remained at 77.0% in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Settlement Money to Help NE Fight Epidemic of Teen E-cig Use

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said more than $8 million will be the state's share of a multistate lawsuit against e-cigarette maker Juul Lab…

Early diagnosis rates in America have increased 17% over the last five years. (Adobe Stock)<br />

State of Lung Cancer Report has Indiana Behind the Curve

The American Lung Association has released its 2022 State of Lung Cancer report, which shows Indiana has some work to do. The leading cause of lung …

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, 31% of all middle- and high-school students surveyed said they used a tobacco product in the last 30 days. (Adobe Stock)

More Than 3 Million Youths Use Tobacco Products Across U.S.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration finds a little more than 3 million kids nationwide use …

All Juul e-cigarettes have a high level of nicotine, but a single Juul pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes, according to the manufacturer. (Adobe Stock)

Efforts to Curb Youth Vaping Fall Short

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S., yet efforts to prevent kids from picking up the habit continue to …

More than three million U.S. middle- and high-school students reported current use of any tobacco product in 2022, representing approximately one in six high-school students and one in 22 middle-school students. (Adobe Photo)

Experts: Teens Want to Talk About Risks of Vaping

Today marks the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, an effort meant to encourage those who smoke or vape to quit, especially younger …

In Johnson County, Iowa, 13% of adults describe themselves as being in

IA County Studies Why Residents Don't Get the Healthcare They Need

Johnson County, Iowa, is on a fact-finding mission - to determine what its residents need most for a good community health program. The county is …

Tobacco advertising for menthol products in particular has long targeted the African American community. (American Heart Association)

New CA Report Details Tobacco Industry Marketing to Vulnerable Groups

A new report from Stanford University finds tobacco companies continue to directly target African Americans, women, and young people with their …

Earlier year, the FDA temporarily banned all Juul products from the market, but was forced to reverse that decision after the company challenged the agency in court. (Adobe Stock)

TN to Receive $13 Million in Juul Deceptive Marketing Settlement

After an investigation found the e-cigarette maker Juul Labs deliberately targeted young people using a variety of marketing practices, Tennessee is …

Menthol in cigarettes reduces the physical irritation of smoking, which can make it more difficult to quit smoking. (Adobe Stock)

Backers of Menthol Cigarette Ban Cite Health Benefits for Black Ohioans

The Food and Drug Administration could soon ban the manufacture and sale of menthol cigarettes, a move advocates in Ohio said could have a positive …

The vaporized liquid found in e-cigarettes or 'vapes' commonly leads to chronically dry mouth and increased risk for tooth decay, research shows. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Dentists: Vaping Increases Risk of Tooth, Gum Problems

North Carolina dentists are noticing an uptick in problems with teeth and gums among people who vape. Experts say vaping can cause as much damage to …

FDA to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine as Vaping Among KY Teens Climbs

Last week President Joe Biden signed legislation that allows the Food and Drug Administration to regulate synthetic nicotine, used in vape products …

Researchers and smoking prevention groups say there are tens of thousands of flavored tobacco products on the market. (Adobe Stock)

New Local Ordinances, Push for Statewide Tobacco Restrictions in MN

With 2022 underway, more than 20 Minnesota cities now have local ordinances restricting or banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, and the new …

Research from Yale University has shown the chemicals in vaping products can reach a teen's brain in about 10 seconds, and that frequent use among young people can lead to problems related to focus and memory. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

KY Communities Continue Push for Local Tobacco Control

State lawmakers are expected to file a tobacco-control bill next year. Healthcare advocacy groups and local elected officials say communities must …

Groups like the American Heart Association report thar nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of heart disease. (Adobe Stock)

New Research Links Pandemic with Higher Blood Pressure

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- High blood pressure among Americans was already a concern before the pandemic. Researchers now say the crisis has created greater …

Black women in the Commonwealth are three to four times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than are non-Hispanic White women, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: Lack of Coverage, Child Care, School Funding Affect Health Outcomes

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- In a few weeks, Kentucky lawmakers will convene the General Assembly, and health advocates are calling for new policies to address …

Close to one million New York City residents smoke tobacco, according to Public Health Solutions. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY a National Leader in Increasing Smoke-Free Households

NEW YORK -- Although New York and the country as a whole saw some progress surrounding the health of children and women, a new report showed there is …

Approximately 3% of the 1,500 students in Montgomery County who were screened for behavioral health indicators were found to be at risk of substance use. (Adobe Stock)

OH County Working to Treat Stressors that Lead to Youth Marijuana Use

DAYTON, Ohio -- An Ohio county is taking a trauma-informed approach to its work on preventing marijuana use in teens. As marijuana policy changes …

Tobacco control groups say even though a flavored tobacco ban didn't pass this session, lawmakers still could help end racial disparities caused by menthol products by passing prevention funding. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Federal Move, MN Groups Still Want State Menthol Ban

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Food and Drug Administration is exploring a ban on menthol-flavored cigarettes, a move tobacco-control advocates say is long …

Indiana has an estimated one million smokers. (AdobeStock)

Health Group: Indiana Passes on Another Chance to Reduce Smoking Rates

INDIANAPOLIS -- Health care advocates in Indiana are once again disheartened to see another legislative session pass without action on the state's cig…

States that expanded Medicaid coverage have seen improved rates for colorectal, prostate and cervical cancer screenings compared with non-expansion states. (Pixabay)

Advocates: Medicaid Expansion Would Benefit Cancer Patients

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- The Wyoming Senate has until Wednesday to advance the Medical Treatment Opportunity Act, which cleared the House last week…

According to anti-tobacco advocates, 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, which have been cited as a

MN House Panel Advances Flavored Tobacco Ban

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A proposal to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Minnesota has resurfaced in the Legislature. House Bill 904…

A bill in the Montana Legislature would overturn 11 local ordinances banning flavored vape products. (DedMityay/Adobe Stock)

Advocates Urge MT Lawmakers to Put Out Smoking Rollbacks

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana advocates fighting cancer are urging state lawmakers not to roll back anti-smoking policies this session. February is …

Iowa is one of nearly a dozen states that exempts casinos from smoking bans. (Adobe Stock)

A Push for Permanent Smoking Ban in Iowa Casinos

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The risks facing health-care providers, retail staff and public service employees during the COVID-19 crisis have brought renewed …

Nationwide, more than 21% of students in high school and nearly 5% in middle school report using e-cigarettes and vapes. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Pandemic Increases Vaping, Tobacco Use for KY Students

FRANKFORT, Ky. - More than a third of Kentucky middle and high schoolers say the pandemic has increased their use of e-cigarettes or vapes and other …

When Maryland increased the tobacco tax more than a decade ago, retail cigarette sales dropped 30% across the state. (Adobe Stock)

A Push for Maryland Tobacco Tax to Repair Health Inequities

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland's General Assembly is reconsidering a bill to tax tobacco, with backers touting public health benefits, and health equity …

A 1996 state law prohibits local Kentucky ordinances from governing the marketing and sale of tobacco products. (Adobe Stock)

KY Counties Seek Local Control of Tobacco Marketing, Sales

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Counties across Kentucky say smoking and vaping are hurting their local economies and people's health, and they're fighting for …

The smoking rate for individuals with a behavioral health disorder is nearly twice that of the general population, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Center Expands Smoking-Cessation Program for Behavioral-Health Patients

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Smoking is prevalent among people with substance-use disorders, but tobacco-prevention efforts often overlook this population…

Preemption laws can obstruct local tobacco protection efforts, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Preemption Laws Block KY Communities from Tobacco Control Measures

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Since 1996, Kentucky has barred cities and counties from enacting tobacco control measures to govern the marketing and sale of …

New research shows a strong correlation between vaping and catching coronavirus. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Program to Reveal Link Between Vaping and COVID-19

RICHMOND, Va. -- Vaping and cigarette smoking are significant risk factors for COVID-19, according to new research from Stanford University published …

According to a new study funded by the National Cancer Institute, Minneapolis has 32 times more tobacco retailers than McDonald's eateries, and 14 times more than Starbucks stores. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Low-Income Neighborhoods, Kids Still Targets of Big Tobacco

MINNEAPOLIS -- Many tobacco retailers are located near public schools and in low-income neighborhoods, according to a new study. It maps out the …

In 2017, more than 14% of Kentucky high school students said they used electronic cigarette products such as JUUL. (Adobe Stock)

E-Cigarette Tax Takes Effect Saturday in KY

FRANKFORT, Ky. - The state's new tax on e-cigarettes goes into effect tomorrow. Prices for cartridge-based e-cigarettes will increase by $1.50 per …

Oregon's cigarette tax rate ranks 32nd in the nation. (berkut_34/Adobe Stock)

OR Anti-Smoking Advocates Tout Cigarette-Tax Ballot Measure

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon would have the highest tax on a pack of cigarettes on the West Coast if a ballot measure passes in November. Anti-smoking …

The use of e-cigarettes jumped 78% nationally among high school students from 2017 to 2018.(AdobeStock)

MI Health Groups Call Tobacco Bill Package "Weak"

LANSING, Mich. - A package of tobacco regulation bills is headed to the Michigan House, and some health organizations are concerned that it doesn't …

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