Regional Coalition Meeting Presentation
The next Regional PA Tobacco-Free Coalition meeting will be held as a virtual webinar on December 7, 2022 from 11 AM - 1 PM via Microsoft Teams. Coalition updates and an exciting presentation from La Tanisha Wright, former ‘Big Tobacco’ Executive, will be presented.
La Tanisha Wright presentation is called, Focus vs. Non-Focus: How Tobacco Industry Retail Marketing Varies by Community. La Tanisha is the Founder and CEO of Follow the Signs LLC. She has been described as one of the foremost experts on predatory tobacco retail marketing tactics. La Tanisha is a former Big Tobacco Marketing Executive, who turned to be internationally known, nationally acclaimed and passionate tobacco control advocate. Registration is now open for this free webinar.
|
|
Webinar: Traditional vs. Commercial Tobacco from a Native Lens, November 29th
The month of November is National Native American Heritage Month. To have a better understanding of Native Americans' connection to tobacco, a webinar called Traditional vs. Commercial Tobacco from a Native Lens, will be held on Tuesday, November 29, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST.
Commercial tobacco (e.g. cigarettes, snuff, snus) can contain more than 7,000 chemicals and is manufactured by companies to addict people to harmful products that cause death and disease. While traditional tobacco has been used in sacred ways by Native peoples for centuries.
Join us for an informative discussion with Melissa Doud, Program Director, of the Wisconsin Native American Tobacco Network. Melissa will discuss the differences between traditional tobacco (i.e. medicinal, sacred, ceremonial tobacco) versus commercial tobacco, and the importance of tailoring commercial tobacco use prevention activities and language.
You will also hear from Jennifer Folkenroth, the American Lung Association’s National Senior Director for Tobacco Programs, covering new Lung Association resources to support Indigenous peoples looking to overcome their addiction to commercial tobacco products. Register today for this captivating webinar.
|
|
State of Lung Cancer Report Released
This past week, the State of Lung Cancer report was released! The American Lung Association’s 5th annual report highlights the toll of lung cancer nationwide and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates.
Key findings include:
- Lung cancer screening is key to early diagnosis, and early diagnosis saves lives. Unfortunately, in 2021, only 5.8% of those eligible have been screened.
- “State of Lung Cancer” reports continued progress for lung cancer survival. The lung cancer five-year survival rate increased 21% to 25% from 2014 to 2018.
- Currently, 14.2 million Americans meet the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for screening.
- Highlighted that people of color, diagnosed with lung cancer, face worse outcomes compared to whites, including: lower survival rate, less likely to be diagnosed early, less likely to receive surgical treatment and more likely to receive no treatment.
- The “State of Lung Cancer” highlights that states must do more to reduce the burden of lung cancer.
View your state's report and share this signature report with your connections.
|
|
Great American Smokeout, November 17th
The American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout (GASO) on the third Thursday of November (November 17), challenging smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours. If you or a loved one smokes cigarettes, consider joining the movement, and take the first step toward quitting cigarettes forever!
How is your TRU group celebrating this tobacco-free holiday? Send photos of your GASO activities to Lauren.Chappel@Lung.org to receive TRU swag and be featured in an upcoming TRU newsletter.
How can you celebrate? Start your quit journey by joining a Freedom From Smoking group clinic. Or, consider becoming a Freedom From Smoking facilitator to teach your family, friends and community how to live a smoke free life.
|
|
American Lung Association's Quit Smoking and Tobacco Treatment Videos
The American Lung Association developed several videos to support virtual tobacco treatment program delivery and participant engagement. Videos are hosted on YouTube and are accessible using the links provided below. These videos are sure to help during those cold, long winter months.
If you have any questions or would like to recommend a new video to be added to this collection, email Jennifer Folkenroth at Jennifer.Folkenroth@Lung.org.
Please note: Pfizer discontinued their Quitter’s Circle video.
|
|
Association Between Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and Mortality by Race, Ethnicity, and Sex
A new study published by JAMA evaluated the risk of death among Americans based on their smoking history. This cohort study assesses associations of cigarette smoking and quitting smoking with mortality by race, ethnicity, and sex among US adults aged 25 to 84 years.
It found that smoking is associated with increased risk of death, regardless of race, ethnicity and sex (although some groups have an even higher risk than others).
Quitting was associated with an 80% drop in risk, as compared to risk for current smokers. This improvement increased to 90% among those who quit before 45 years of age. To learn more about this study, continue to read the entire article.
|
|
Pneumonia is a common infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Often times, Pneumonia can be prevented and usually can be treated. Most people affected by pneumonia are adults. Some people are at increased risk for getting pneumonia such as: adults 65+, people with chronic medical conditions, smokers and children younger than 5.
Vaccines help prevent some of the viruses and bacteria that are known to cause pneumonia. Lower your risk by being up to date on these vaccines:
Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia causing an estimated 150,000 hospitalizations each year. You can help raise awareness by:
|
|
Podcast: Secondhand Smoke, "Breathing Easier in Your Apartment"
Article by Thurman Brendlinger, Clean Air Council
During the pandemic, we all spent more time at home. If your home is in an apartment building that allows smoking, you might have gotten to know more about an ugly “neighbor” called secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can spread throughout an apartment building- under doors, throughout the halls, in ventilation systems and even through cracks and light fixtures. It has immediate harmful effects on your lungs, heart and blood vessels.
If you have questions or need assistance with a similar problem, contact the Clean Air Council, who is working with the American Lung Association on multi-unit housing in Pennsylvania.
|
|
Coalition Member Spotlight / Highlights |
|
Teen Campaign: Be Smart and Don't Start
Article by Eileen Panzarella, Pathway to Recovery
Mackenzie Youngcourt from Hazle Township was recently crowned Miss Keystone Teen Volunteer. Her platform during her reign is “Be Smart and Don’t Start”, an anti-smoking, anti-vaping campaign.
Mackenzie wants to bring awareness of the effects of nicotine to the youth of today. She plans on using her platform, social media, and appearances to ensure today’s youth are aware of the dangers of smoking and vaping. The program educated more than two hundred 7th and 8th graders on the dangers of vaping. She is also available to attend other regional events. Macknzie can be followed on Instagram @misskeystoneteenvol.
*Mackenzie is pictured, along with Eileen Panzarella from Pathway to Recovery, at an assembly held at Freeland Middle School.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
