Regional PA Tobacco-Free Coalitions: Updates
March Meetings
The Regional PA Tobacco-Free Coalitions (RPTFC) meetings are coming right up! Invite your coworkers and friends to attend. For questions related to the meetings, contact Chelsey Hildebrand.
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The Southcentral meeting is Tuesday, March 8th at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, via virtual Microsoft Teams. Register today!
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The Northcentral meeting is Wednesday, March 9th at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, via Microsoft Teams. Register today!
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The Northeast meeting is Wednesday, March 16th at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, via Microsoft Teams. Register today!
New Steps for Literature Requests
Freedom from Smoking (FFS) Facilitators are now able to access a catalog of all print literature, view pricing and place an order for FFS materials all through the American Lung Association's new print store. Other health education literature, such as lung cancer and Asthma, are also available for purchase using this site. Note: You will need to submit your FFS order preferable 14-21 days prior to the start of your clinic.
As an update to the kits, all FFS quit kits are discontinued, however, all FFS breathing exercises has been transitioned to be digital. In an effort to streamline the ordering process and make it less expensive, every Participant Workbook now has a link to all of the exercises. Access audio files by following these simple steps:
Social Media
In addition to the RPTFC.org website, where you can locate resources, RPTFC has a Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page. You can like our pages and now send us your events to post on our platforms. Send your posts to Amber at Amber.Fields@lung.org. Check out our social media pages today!
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February 16th Webinar - Racism as a Public Health Crisis: The Black Community and Lung Health
In celebration of Black History Month, the American Lung Association (ALA) is holding a special webinar, called, Racism as a Public Health Crisis: The Black Community and Lung Health. This webinar will be held on Wednesday, February 16th at 12:00 PM. Beginning in 2020, elected leaders have passed resolutions declaring racism a public health crisis. So far, there have been 231 declarations at local, county and state levels. Find out more information or register today.
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Freedom From Smoking® Video Testimonials
The American Lung is developing a Freedom From Smoking® (FFS) video testimonial of FFS Group Clinics. Patients and coalition members of the Northeast and South Central Pennsylvania regions are speaking about their own experience of the group clinics through these video testimonials. The videos will be released in spring 2022.
The Freedom From Smoking program are for adults who are ready to quit smoking. And an FFS group clinic provides patients with the knowledge and tools to overcome their tobacco/vape addiction. To learn more, please click here.
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Day at the Capitol: Registration is Now Open!
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 3rd for Day at the Capitol 2022. This event will provide the opportunity for advocates across Pennsylvania to come together and meet virtually with legislators. The goal is to provide education on important tobacco control issues throughout the commonwealth.
The focus for 2022 will be to advocate for MSA funding and the Clean Indoor Air Act. For additional details or questions, please contact Molly Pisciottano or call 412-430-3060. Registration for Day at the Capitol is now open!
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Webcast: Women's Respiratory Health
Join us for a virtual Better Breathers Network webcast on March 9, 2022, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM. If you or your clients are living with chronic lung disease, such as COPD, asthma, lung cancer or other, considering joining this virtual support group.
Did you know the three most common lung diseases in women are asthma, COPD, and lung cancer? Lung disease is a major concern among women. Join Dr. MeiLan Han, National Spokesperson for the American Lung Association, for an informative Better Breathers Network educational webcast on Women's Respiratory Health.
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Upcoming Events - You Don't Want to Miss!
A new, free workshop titled: New Emerging Triangle: Tobacco, E-cigs, and Cannabis, will be held on Thursday, February 17th, at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. This training focuses on the intersection of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis, as well as new electronic delivery systems for both nicotine (ENDS) and other substances. This training will cover the changing landscape, especially among youth, and will include discussion topics such as e-cigarettes, hookah and vape pens, mods delivering flavored nicotine liquids, new heat-not-burn products that produce fumes, flavored little cigars, synthetic cannabis, and liquid THC, which can aerosolized. The session will also include new FDA regulations on deemed tobacco products. Hurry, there's only a few days left to register.
Join the fight for clean air with these upcoming events:
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Multi-Unit Housing: Smokefree Policies, Steps for Success
Secondhand smoke exposure poses serious health threats to children and adults. For residents of multi-unit housing (e.g., apartment buildings and condominiums), secondhand smoke can be a major concern. Public and private multi-unit housing properties across the country have moved to solve this problem by making their housing, including individual units, smokefree. This move not only protects residents and staff from exposure to secondhand smoke, but also saves properties money on costs to turnover units and significantly reduces fire risk for buildings.
If you are considering incorporating Smokefree Multi-Unit Housing (SFMUH) initiatives into your tobacco programming work, here is our top “go-to” resources:
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Register for the Smokefree Policies in Multi-Unit Housing: Steps for Success Online Course
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Smokefree Policies in Multi-Unit Housing Advocates Toolbox
- Comprehensive Summary of the Lung Association’s Progress on Smokefree Multi-Unit Housing
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Smokefree Policies in Multi-Unit Housing Webpage which includes:
Other ALA Project Resources:
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View the MUH Packet located on RPTFC's webpage, under Multi-Unit Housing
Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard causing more than 41,000 deaths per year. It can cause or make worse a wide range of damaging health effects in children and adults, including lung cancer, asthma flare-ups and so many more ill effects.
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Health Equity Summit: In-Person/Hybrid Event, April 6-7, 2022
The purpose of the 2022 Health Equity Summit is to catalyze efforts to eliminate health disparities in Pennsylvania by 2030. This goal will only happen when key leaders unit around promising practices and a shared agenda. This year's Health Equity Summit will be held in Pittsburgh on April 6-7, 2022:
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April 6 - In-Person at the University of Pittsburgh, program begins at 2 PM
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April 7 - In-Person at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Speakers from a variety of fields will present timely information to increase health equity, and solutions to addressing health inequalities and eliminate health disparities in PA. Conference goals include:
- Increase awareness of health inequalities in Pennsylvania
- Educate participants on reducing health disparities and addressing health equity
- Develop action steps to reduce/eliminate health inequalities in underserved, marginalized, oppressed communities by 2030.
Be sure to Register for this impactful, face-to-face and hybrid event. If circumstances dictate cancellation or postponement, refunds or credits will be issued.
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LGBTQ 2022 Health Needs Assessment Survey
Article by Christina Graham, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
The 2022 Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment survey deadline has been extended to February 28th. As you may know, this assessment provides incredible insight into health disparities and barriers to care for affecting LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians, including a wealth of information on tobacco use and cessation. LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, ages 13+, are invited to participate in PA’s LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment.
The goal of the survey is to gather information to better understand the health status and health care experience of you and your community. Results will be summarized, so your feedback can be used to start conversations, inspire action and bring attention to community needs. We need your help! Please consider completing the English or Español survey today.
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