Blog

TFN E-News Update / Mid-May 2022

NEW CDC Webpage on Menthol and Cigarettes

• What is Menthol?
• Menthol Tobacco Products are a Public Health Problem and a Threat to Advancing Health Equity
• Menthol Smoking and Related Health Disparities Continue to be a Problem
• What Can Be Done to Address Use of Menthol Tobacco Products?

Comment Period Open on FDA Tobacco Product Standards

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing two tobacco product standards that would:

1. Prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes
2. Prohibit all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in cigars

These actions have the potential to significantly reduce disease and death from combusted tobacco product use, the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., by reducing youth experimentation and addiction, and increasing the number of smokers that quit.

The FDA is seeking comment on, among other things, how it can best make clear the respective roles of the agency and state and local law enforcement, as well as policy considerations related to the potential racial and social justice implications of the proposed product standards.

Comment Period Open Date: May 4, 2022
Comment Period End Date: July 5, 2022

FDA Links:
o Fact Sheet: Proposed Product Rule

Federal Register Notices:
o Cigar Flavors NPRM
o Menthol in Cigarettes NPRM
o Public Listening Sessions FRN
Submit Comments on Tobacco Products | FDA

Free Updated Resource Available

HUD Recognizes Asthma Awareness Month

How Does Nicotine Addiction Affect Youth Mental Health?

• When a person is dependent on (or addicted to) nicotine and stops using it, their body and brain have to get used to not having nicotine. This can result in temporary symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
• Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include irritability, restlessness, feeling anxious or depressed, trouble sleeping, problems concentrating, and craving nicotine. People may keep using tobacco products to help relieve these symptoms.
• Youth may turn to vaping to try to deal with stress or anxiety, creating a cycle of nicotine dependence. But nicotine addiction can be a source of stress.
• What may start as social experimentation can become an addiction.
• Youth e-cigarette and cigarette use have been associated with mental health symptoms that include depression.

National Conference on Tobacco or Health
June 28-30, 2022 | New Orleans, LA.
The National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH) is one of the largest, long-standing gatherings for top United States tobacco control professionals. The event attracts a diversity of public health professionals committed to policies to reduce tobacco use.
Register Here

Third National Menthol Conference
September 28-30, 2022 | Washington, D.C.
The 3rd National Menthol Conference will bring together tobacco control advocates, community leaders, public health professionals, coalitions, and health departments from across the country to provide a roadmap in the effort to remove flavored tobacco products from the market once and for all.
Register Here

Tobacco Disparities Reframing Project
OPEN NOW | Virtual
The CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health’s training resource to help the tobacco control community use new evidence-based framing and messaging.
Find it all: Here

Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Adds Continuing Education Opportunity for Healthcare Providers

Accredited courses are now available online, through the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline, for providers looking to receive CME, CNE, or CPE credits.

Every year providers in Nebraska support their patients quitting tobacco by referring them to the Quitline. The courses offered help providers discuss how cessation can increase quit success and reduce the risks associated with tobacco use, including vaping.

Several courses are offered and cover a variety of topics, such as, Tobacco Use Disparities for People with Behavioral Health Conditions, Myths About Quitting, Vaping and E-Cigarette Devices, and more. Additionally, providers can refer patients using the new online web referral option or the updated fax referral form. Go online to access tools, resources, and education modules, plus the web and fax referrals for providers ready to help patients quit, at QuitNow.ne.gov/providers.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit QuitNow.ne.gov to reach a trained quit coach, get access to free quit-smoking medication, and make a plan to quit tobacco for good.