We all know that using tobacco in any form is bad for your lungs and heart. Smoking can affect your skin, eyes, joints, and digestive system. Vaping is addictive, can lead to a disease called “popcorn lung,” and disrupts regular brain development in young people. We also know that it can be hard to quit, even if it is hurting us. Are you ready to stop smoking/vaping and live a happier, healthier life? Make 2023 the year that you Quit Tobacco for Good! Contact Jason@lungsrus.org to learn more.

Scientists have expressed concern over the rapid growth of this new Omicron sub-lineage making up over 25% of new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. and over 70% in the Northeast. Nicknamed the “Kraken” variant by some, XBB.1.5 is better at evading immunity and infecting cells. While symptoms are generally mild, the risk to seniors and the immunocompromised remains serious. High quality masks and updated vaccines remain a reliable first line of defense against the virus. Learn more.

Concerned about Flu, COVID, and RSV in your area? Stay current with local updates from Santa Clara County Public Health.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s new Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program connects local government, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with the immense capabilities of DOE’s national lab complex to help them turn their clean energy goals into reality. This means more stable funding for our Silicon Valley Clean Cities Coalition. With three distinct levels of assistance ranging from a few weeks to a few years, C2C supports communities in transitioning to clean energy systems that reflect their local priorities. Learn more.

In this episode of BC TV, Breathe California’s Deputy Executive Director Tanya Payyappilly discusses the history and importance of these two groundbreaking pieces of tobacco control legislation. Prop 31, overwhelmingly passed by California voters, reaffirmed the public support for SB 793 to end the sale of flavored tobacco products including menthol, reducing the public health impact of tobacco, protecting youth from a lifetime of addiction, and thwarting big tobacco’s well-documented targeting and infiltration of Black communities. Watch now.

Need help to pay your past due utility bill?

Pacific Gas and Electric Company offers flexible payment plans that can help reduce an outstanding balance and can connect you with resources to reduce future energy bills. To learn more about these options, visit pge.com/billhelp today.