What's Next for the RPTFC.org Website
The Regional PA Tobacco-Free Coalition (RPTFC) website went through several noticeable changes this past fiscal year. The next project for the website includes featuring a Provider Login button, located at the top of the page. The purpose of this feature is to allow contracted providers access to private ordering forms, marketing templates, media campaigns and specific flyers online. The Provider Login password will be the same for all providers and will be sent out this fall. Visit the rptfc.org webpages often and you will discover several changes and new resources available for use!
Still in the works is translating all of the Diverse Population Resources into Spanish. These resources will be posted onto the website once complete.
Save the Date: RPTFC Meeting
Our next Regional Coalition meeting has been scheduled for December 7th. Please mark your calendars. More information on FY23 meetings will be forthcoming. Look for dates in upcoming newsletters.
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Action Alert: Template Comments & Sign On Opportunity in Support of FDA’s Proposed Rules to Remove Menthol Cigarettes & Flavored Cigars
The American Lung Association is calling on health professionals and the general public to show their support for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed rules to remove menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars from the marketplace.
Template Comments
Both proposed rules are open for public comment until August 2, 2022. It is critical that supporters of the rule – including advocates, public health practitioners, researchers, and others – submit comments during this period to demonstrate the broad support and scientific evidence in support of the rule. Please find the Lung Association’s template comments for the menthol cigarettes proposed rule and template comments for the flavored cigars proposed rule. We invite organizations to use the templates to customize and submit comments directly to the docket. Recognizing how closely linked these two proposed rules are, we encourage organizations to submit a letter to each docket. For background history, you can look towards FDA’s proposed one-pager.
Sign Our Petition
If you are a health professional of any kind, we ask that you sign onto this letter to FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf in support of both proposed rules. This letter will show support of eliminating menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. You can further assist by forwarding this letter to any other health professionals. The deadline to sign is Tuesday, August 2 at which time it will be shared with the press to call attention to the urgent need for action and so that it can be submitted to the federal docket in a timely manner.
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New Resource: How Lungs Work Video
Your lungs are an essential part of the respiratory system that work together to help you breathe. Learn how your lungs actually work and how to keep you and your lungs healthy by watching the Lung Association's new "How Lungs Work" video. If you would like to educate others on how important it is to keep your lungs healthy, then share this beneficial resource with your community partners, clinics, hospitals, patients, and anyone else you feel may benefit from this video.
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Webcast: Using Pharmacists to Improve Access to Tobacco Cessation Treatments
Please join the American Lung Association on Wednesday, July 27 at 2 PM for a new webcast, Using Pharmacist to Improve Access to Tobacco Cessation Treatment for Medicaid Enrollees. This webcast will highlight how the Vermont Tobacco Control Program worked with state partners, including the state Medicaid program, to improve the reach of the Medicaid tobacco cessation benefit by adding pharmacists as recognized providers. During the webcast, you will hear from Vermont specialists on how they achieved their success, as well as details on how adding care extenders, as recognized providers, can extend the reach of a comprehensive tobacco cessation benefit in a state Medicaid program. If you would like to learn more, register today!
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SEEKING: Successful FFS Graduate, Lung Champions!
To celebrate people who have quit smoking for good, and inspire those who are trying to quit, the American Lung Association is planning to relaunch the Super Stoppers Club with award-winning journalist, Bob Levey. The Super Stoppers Club is a digital campaign that acknowledges people in their efforts to quit smoking forever. Levey is working with the American Lung Association to relaunch the Super Stoppers Club as a digital campaign to include: monthly Facebook posts, articles on the Lung Association’s Each Breath Blog, promotion on the LungCast podcast and more. The goal of this club is to celebrate people who quit, inspire those who are trying, and provide resources for people looking to begin their quit journey.
CALL TO ACTION:
Successful FFS Graduates are asked to complete the following TWO surveys:
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Become a Lung Champion
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Share your story
What happens after submission?
Several on point entries will be shared with Bob Levey. Successful ones may receive a call from Bob for additional details. If selected, you would have the opportunity to be part of this campaign which hopes to inspire more quit attempts and increase awareness among current tobacco users.
Only individuals' first name, last initial and city/state will be shared to protect identities.
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Radon Basics - Not So Basic
Did you know that Radon Basics now comes with 1.0 CEU/CME credit? Learn more about radon gas, the second leading cause of lung cancer through this educational course. Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of men and women.
The American Lung Association takes viewers on an easy, but complete step-by-step course to help you find and fix radon problems in your home and protect the health of those you love. Use this brief Radon Basics promotional video to convince others to gain and share this valuable, life-saving knowledge.
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Coalition Member Spotlight / Highlights |
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Play Ball with Young Lungs At Play (YLAP)
Article by Holly G. Dolan, Lebanon Family Health Services
Lebanon Family Health Services is proud to welcome Annville-Cleona Softball Association to the Young Lungs at Play Program (YLAP)! Currently, 73% of eligible Lebanon County municipalities are a part of YLAP. Learn more about all of their services they have to offer or how you can sign-up for YLAP in Lebanon county by contacting LFHS.
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Several Local Visitors Attend The NCTOH
Picture sent in by Savanna Robinson, Pathway to Recovery
The prevention staff at Pathway To Recovery in Hazleton attended the NCTOH conference in Louisiana, New Orleans. Pictured at the conference, right to left, is Eileen Panzarella, Jeanette Ovens and Savanna Robinson.
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Op-Ed: Juul Ban is a Huge Step in Protecting Queer Youth from Big Tobacco.
Article by Christina Graham, sent in by Katie Suppes, from Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT team is excited to announce that an op-ed regarding the FDA's ban of Juul vaping products from the marketplace got published! The op-ed was published in Philadelphia Gay News, the area’s largest and oldest publication targeting the LGBTQ+ community. When you gain a moment, read their highly interesting op-ed called, Juul Ban is a Huge Step in Protecting Queer Youth from Big Tobacco.
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NEW! FY22 Southcentral, Northeast & Northcentral PA by the numbers
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2,382 INDIVIDUALS
Individuals impacted by smoke- or tobacco-free policies in workplaces and multi-unit housing sites.
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508 INDIVIDUALS
Individuals enrolled in tobacco cessation classes.
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405 MEMBERS
TRU youth membership.
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