March 5, 2020
We hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter from the Training & Education Program at the Center for Tobacco Independence.

Upcoming Events

Please click on the orange titles for more information and to register.

BASIC SKILLS TRAININGS


Tuesday, March 31, 2020
7:30am - 12:15pm
Portland

Learn about the ways that policy development and tobacco treatment support each other, including strategies for effectively promoting and supporting tobacco free campus policies.
WEBINARS


Thursday, March 12, 2020
12 - 1pm

Learn about the dangers and potential health problems associated with cigarette smoke and e-cigarette aerosol on kids and animals.


Wednesday, March 18, 2020
12 - 1pm

Learn about new, innovative technologies and processes that have been added to the Maine Tobacco HelpLine services,
including text-to-quit, web-based treatment, online self-registration and other options.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE


June 15 - 17, 2020
Freeport

(Scroll down for more info)
What's the Research?

Quit Success Among Tobacco Users
Who Also Use Cannabis

It is known that tobacco and cannabis use often go together. Research shows that about a quarter of tobacco users concurrently use cannabis. What happens when these dual users try to quit tobacco? Does the fact that they are also using cannabis make a difference in their quit success?

A recent study cataloged tobacco cessation outcomes among those who concurrently use cannabis. Researchers examined results among 35,246 patients who enrolled between 2014 and 2016 in a primary care-based tobacco treatment program in Ontario, Canada. 20% of these patients reported cannabis use, and specified whether that use was recreational or medical in nature.

Results showed that simultaneous use of cannabis was associated with reduced success in quitting smoking. Recreational cannabis use was consistently related to poorer quit outcomes, but medical use was not. Study authors asserted that further research was needed in order to develop treatment strategies for this population of tobacco users.

Read the article HERE.

 
New Vaping Services at the Maine Tobacco HelpLine
E-cigarette use by Maine youth , commonly referred to as vaping or "Juuling," has significantly increased over the past few years. Presently, 29% of high school students report that they currently use these products.

The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence is excited to provide new vaping treatment services, now available for all Mainers who need support with quitting vaping or with helping a loved one to quit.

Youth Texting Program:  Text MAINE to 88709

CTI has partnered with the Truth Initiative to launch the Maine  This is Quitting  youth texting program. This is Quitting is a free, confidential texting program with evidence-based tips to help 13-24 year olds quit vaping.

Vaping Support Line:  1-844-9NO-VAPE

Through the Maine Tobacco HelpLine, any adult or youth resident can receive services to assist:

  • Those who vape and want to quit
  • Those needing assistance in how to support a loved one who vapes
  • Anyone with a general question about vaping

Trained coaches will work with callers to:

  • Enroll in quitting support services
  • Provide tips for speaking to youth around vaping
  • Provide local vaping resource information

You can also email NOVAPE@thequitlink.com to request support


Selected Resource
FDA Policy on Flavor Restriction Enforcement Started February 6th

There are many questions regarding recent changes to the FDA's enforcement of flavor restrictions that began on February 6, 2020. Adding to the complexity is that there are now many disposable products becoming popular with youth, products which often skirt the restrictions. We hope these resources will provide some clarity:

Click HERE to see an article from The Truth Initiative , which features an image of what products are not allowed versus allowed.

Click HERE for a fact sheet about the issue, from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids .

SAVE THE DATE!

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June 15 - 17, 2020
Freeport, Maine

This year's theme:

A Changing Landscape - Tobacco and Nicotine Use, Products and Adolescents: Reflections and Considerations for Tobacco Prevention and Treatment

We are excited to welcome Dr. Barbara Schillo as our Keynote Speaker. Dr. Schillo is Vice President of the Schroeder Institute, part of the Truth Initiative, w here she provides leadership for research that examines the impact of tobacco-related policies on youth and young adults. Dr. Schillo also currently chairs the board of directors for the North American Quitline Consortium. 
Continuing education credits are available for all programs


For more information about the Training & Education Program, visit:

MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence (CTI)
Tobacco Treatment Training and Education Program
CTI provides education and training on evidence-based tobacco treatment to healthcare and behavioral health professionals in Maine on behalf of the Maine CDC, DHHS. Our goal is to improve access to high quality, best practice tobacco treatment and create a network of tobacco treatment specialists across the state.