Regional PA Tobacco-Free Coalitions: Website Updates
The Regional PA Tobacco-Free Coalition (RPTFC) website is constantly changing. Besides the resource categories: Advocacy, Cessation, Prevention and Secondhand Smoke now having their own separate pages, the Lung Association's website team is working hard on providing all our Diverse Population Resources in Spanish for community partners. Visit often and stay tuned for more details.
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Action Alert: Proposed Rules for Menthol and Flavored Cigars
Rules to remove menthol and flavored cigars from the Marketplace was proposed by FDA at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on April 28th. FDA Commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, announced that FDA was proposing two rules – one that would remove all menthol cigarettes from the marketplace and the other that would remove all flavored cigars.
- The rules propose to include all menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars (regardless of weight or price or alleged “premium” status).
- Both would take effect one year after the date the final rules are published.
- Both are aimed at reducing health disparities, especially in Black and Brown communities.
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Webinar: Addressing Tobacco Use in Black Communities
Join the American Lung Association Friday, May 17th, 5 PM – 6 PM for a comprehensive overview of addressing tobacco use in Black communities. Led by Dr. Sandra Brooks Chief Medical Officer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Dr. Edith Mitchell, clinical Professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center the presentation will feature a variety of culturally competent resources focused on three key objectives:
- To Build Competence by learning about the racist history of tobacco in Black communities;
- To Encourage Connectedness by learning how to be an authentic ally and building better community partnerships; and build
- Confidence to Act with materials, resources, and trainings to equip program implementers.
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Need Your Assistance: Help Support Stronger Pollution Standards
You can help the American Lung Association by showing support for stronger pollution standards. The U.S. EPA is considering new limits on dangerous nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, plus additional updates to greenhouse gas emissions from some vehicles.
This letter was drafted specifically for health professionals to sign, so that we can show EPA that health experts are calling for them to finalize the most health-protective limits possible. The letter is located at: https://www.lung.org/policy-advocacy/take-action/action-alerts/hp-support-cleaner-trucks. The deadline to sign the letter is Friday, May 13th. Please feel free to share this with other health professionals. Thank you for your support!
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What Month is Asthma Awareness?
Asthma Awareness Month is May. The American Lung Association is:
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Raising awareness through resources on asthma control, emerging treatment options and the importance of air quality Lung.org/Asthma.
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Advocating for the Family Asthma Act by asking individuals to sign our petition for Congress to pass this important legislation.
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Encouraging healthcare professionals, teachers, and parents of kids with asthma to take Asthma Basics.
Find out how you can help with asthma awareness today.
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Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month. The American Lung Association is joining the celebration of the rich culture and contributions of AAPI's in the U.S.
Throughout this special month, we will highlight staff blogs which feature personal reflections on what AAPI month means to them, lung health resources, and more related to AAPI and Native Hawaiian communities. Visit our AAPI Heritage Month webpage which will be updated throughout the month as new information and resources are released.
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Recap: Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner Conference
Meredith Bigger, from the American Lung Association, attended the Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner conference on May 7, 2022. One of the conference's agenda item was "Integrating Nicotine Dependence Treatment with Oral Health for the Dental Professional." Meredith was there presenting the Lung Association's two-part oral health training series for those in attendance. It was a successful event with plenty of oral health knowledge disseminated overall.
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Member Highlights: Welcomes & Recaps |
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Welcoming The New LVHN Tobacco Treatment Counselor
Article by Lindsey Dietrich, Lehigh Valley Health Network
The LVHN Tobacco Treatment Program is pleased to introduce our new Tobacco Treatment Counselor, Alessandra (Allie) Karpowicz, LSW. Allie is a graduate of Temple University with a Masters in Social Work. She has experience in inpatient mental health, pediatric oncology and hospice care. Allie is a newly certified Freedom From Smoking facilitator and is eager to work with patients to help them meet their cessation goals.
The LVHN Tobacco Treatment Program is offering ongoing Freedom From Smoking counseling sessions. Please call 610-402-4845 for more information and assistance.
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Day at the Capital Recap: Freedom M.S.
Article by Nicole Meckes, Freeland Middle School
Freedom Middle School, SADD TRU group, was glad to participate in Day at the Capital. They loved their shirts and TRU swag but more importantly were very engaged and empowered by the messages within the community forum. Unfortunately, the students were not able to watch live due to PSSA testing, but they had "a watch party together instead and it was still fantastic," the program teacher Nicole exclaimed. She added, "They are excited to continue coming up with ways they can help their families, school, and community choose a tobacco free lifestyle."
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Day at the Capital Recap: Chalk the Walk at Halifax M.S.
Article by Any Lauver, Harrisburg Area YMCA
Amy Lauver shared a few pictures of the Halifax Middle School TRU group participating in Day at the Capital with "Chalk the Walk." There were twelve students participating in Chalk the Walk. The students set-up and drew anti-smoking drawings and wrote all types of messages in front of the middle and high school buildings. The students had fun, while learning and educating others!
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Day at the Capital Recap: Maple Manor M.S.
Picture sent in by Tony Delonti, ALA, for Maple Manor M.S.
Students pictured are from Maple Manor Middle School who were on the DATC webinar. Proudly wearing their shirts, the students learned a lot and enjoyed the day!
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Day at the Capital Recap: Holly Cross
Picture sent in by Tony Delonti, ALA, for Holly Cross School
The picture on the right is of all the TRU, Holly Cross students who participated in the Virtual Day at the Capitol on May 3rd. The students viewed the Advocacy Training Webinar, e-mailed their legislators, completed the Clean Indoor Air Petitions (bubbles) and completed narratives on why they felt it was important to be a part of TRU. They also viewed the Community Forum. Today was an action-packed day that they will be sure to remember for a long time!
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Tobacco Related Health Disparities Among the LGBTQ+ Community
Article by Kimberly Levitt, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Dr. Kimberly Levitt from Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center presented at the Day at the Capital Forum. The presentation was titled "Tobacco Related Health Disparities and the LGBTQ+ Community.'' It stated current tobacco use statistics from the 2020 PA LGBT Health Needs Assessment, tobacco industry influence on the community and spoke specific LGBTQ-lef solutions that Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center continue to implement.
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Healthy Kids Day: Recap
Article by Eric Rothermel, Harrisburg Area YMCA
Eric Rothermel, from the Harrisburg Area YMCA Center for Healthy Living, attended the YMCA Camp Curtin Branch’s Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022. David Huber from the American Lung Association, was there showing his support as well.
Wrapping up the event, Eric said that "The event was good. We talked to a lot of people and educated a lot of youth on the harmful effects of tobacco use." When David was asked about the event, he mentioned, "It was a nice event. Met a couple of smokers who were thinking about quitting. Our lung display was also very popular!" They both are looking forward to next year's event.
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