Answers About Tobacco

TFN E-News Update / May 2022

Biden Administration’s Move to Ban Menthol

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids argues that the ban will have a greater impact on reducing health disparities in the Black community than any other action the administration can take. As does the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which thinks the ban will help people be healthier.

“We feel that the tobacco industry has targeted the black community for more than 50 years. Frankly, they have. They’ve done a marvelous job with marketing, they’ve been the best at it,” said Portia White, the NAACP’s vice president of policy and legislative affairs. “It would just be wrong, totally wrong, if the FDA would allow them to continue to do this, really.” Read More

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

E-cigarettes using synthetic nicotine now under FDA oversight

Under a law that took effect April 15, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can regulate e-cigarettes and similar products that use synthetic nicotine.

The action targets Puff Bar and several other vaping companies that recently switched their formulas to laboratory-made nicotine to skirt FDA oversight.
Read More

5 important things to know about the removal of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars from the market

Menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars may be removed from store shelves if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) follows through on its promise to start the process of eliminating these products from the market. Here’s how eliminating these harmful products can make an impact. Read More

Sociodemographic Disparities in Tobacco Retailer Density

A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research examines the relationship between tobacco retailer density and neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics from 2000 to 2017. Findings from this study may help identify which communities should be prioritized for policy intervention and regulation. Read More

No Menthol Sunday
May 15, 2022
The campaign is hosted by the Center for Black Health and Equity. Included is a link to the toolkit and resources to support local efforts.
https://www.nomentholsunday.org/

PAVe Clear the Vapor 2022
May 24-25, 2022 | Virtual
Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes Clear the Vapor 2022 will be held virtually. This conference is free.
Register Here

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

New 2022 E-Cigarette Policy Playbook

The Public Health Law Center and the University of North Carolina’s Vaping Prevention Resource just released Version 2.0 of their E-Cigarette Policy Playbook. The playbook provides policy and advocacy tools to help states and local communities address and prevent the public health harms caused by e-cigarette use.

May Health Awareness Observances:

  • Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
  • Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
  • Clean Air Month and Air Quality Awareness Week, May 2-8, 2022
  • Employee Health and Fitness Month
  • Healthy Vision Month
  • Graduation Season
  • Mental Health Month
  • Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022
  • National Nurse Week, May 6-12, 2022
  • National Women’s Health Week and Women’s Lung Health Week, May 8-14, 2022
  • Memorial Day, May 30, 2022
  • World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2022

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.

2022 Tips From Former Smokers®
National Women’s Health Week, May 8-14, 2022

Amanda started smoking in 5th grade, and by the time she was 13 years old, she smoked every day. Over time, smoking crept into every corner of her life. She was so addicted that she ducked outside to smoke throughout the day, even during Wisconsin’s bitter cold winters.

While in college, newly engaged—and still smoking a pack a day—Amanda learned she was pregnant. She tried to quit, but juggling work and classes was stressful. She thought cigarettes helped deal with stress. She soon learned that smoking only made things worse.

Her baby was born 2 months early, which is a danger for all pregnant women who smoke. The tiny baby girl spent weeks in a hospital incubator. “I knew that smoking was bad… I didn’t think I would have a premature baby,” said Amanda. “I couldn’t hold her much in those first weeks. It’s time I’ll never get back. Smoking took that from me.”

 


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.