Did You Know? Study Shows that Tobacco 21 Policies are Effective in Reducing Smoking Among 18-20 Year Olds

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States and municipalities are increasingly restricting tobacco sales to those under age-21, in an effort to reduce youth and young adult smoking. A recently published study examined the effectiveness of such policies. Researchers analyzed 2011 – 2016 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System’s Selected Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Risk Trends dataset.

 

Findings included:

·         Current smoking rates fell from 16.5 percent in 2011 to 8.9 percent in 2016 among 18-20 year-olds in these data.

·         A tobacco-21 policy covering one’s entire metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSA) yields an approximately 3.1 percentage point reduction in 18 to 20 year-olds’ likelihoods of smoking.

·         Accounting for partial policy exposure – tobacco-21 laws implemented in some but not all jurisdictions within an MMSA implies that the average exposed 18 to 20 year-old experienced a 1.2 percentage point drop in their likelihood of being a smoker.

 

The researchers concluded that local tobacco-21 policies yield a substantive reduction in smoking among 18 to 20 year-olds living in metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. This finding provides empirical support for efforts to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21 as a means to reduce young adult smoking. Moreover, it suggests that state laws preempting local tobacco-21 policies may impede public health.

 

Source: Friedman & Wu (2019). Do Local Tobacco-21 Laws Reduce Smoking among 18 to 20 Year-Olds? Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Jul 26. pii: ntz123. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntz123. [Epub ahead of print]

LOOP Leaders In the Field Focus On Menthol, Flavors & Vaping

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unnamed (11)Dr. Valerie Yerger in Santa Clara County
Dr. Yerger was invited to present at Hooked: Reverse the Vaping Epidemic 2019 Summit in Santa Clara County on Friday, September 13th hosted by Santa Clara County Public Health Department, Tobacco Use Prevention Education, and First Five Santa Clara County. Her presentation on “Menthol, Flavors, and Vaping: Advocates Working Together to Kick These Poisons Out of Our Communities” focused on the tobacco industry’s influence in communities of color. The summit also included a keynote delivered by April Rosseler, Chief of California Tobacco Control Program with the California Department of Public Health. In addition, there was a Tobacco 101 presentation with Bonnie Helpern-Felsher, a youth experience panel, and a discussion of potential solutions with Superintendent Mary-Ann Dewan, Commissioner Leticia Pelayo, and Former Supervisor Ken Yeager.
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Carol McGruder in Fresno
Carol McGruder, Director of AMPLIFY, along with other members of the California Tobacco Control Program-funded coordinating centers (Rod Lew with the Asian American Pacific Islander Coordinating Center, Rosendo Iniguez with the Hispanic Latino Coordinating Center, Amanda Walner with LGBTQ Coordinating Center, and Wendy Kaplan with American Indian Native American Coordinating Center) held a press conference in Fresno on Tuesday, September 17th addressing the vaping epidemic. This was a timely issue as there was a vaping-related death confirmed in Tulare County.

Would you like one of the LOOP team members or trainers to present on a specific topic in your county or city? Email us at theloop@ucsf.edu.

Using the Internet to Reach Smokers who are Homeless

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The prevalence of cigarette smoking among people experiencing homelessness is 70%. A recently published study examined exposure to tobacco messaging among homeless smokers.  The researchers recruited a sample of adults experiencing homelessness who were current cigarette smokers (i.e. smoked in the past 30 days) from shelters and service sites in San Francisco. The survey explored self-reported use of internet and online streaming services, and exposure to tobacco messaging.

 

Findings included:

  • 75% of respondents reported using the internet and 67% reported using online streaming video in a typical week.
  • Many participants had seen online advertisements for tobacco products (42%) or anti-tobacco industry messages (46%), although participants reported seeing both advertisements and warnings related to tobacco more frequently offline than online.
  • Respondents who reported using the internet for more than 4 h in a typical week were more likely to recall seeing tobacco-related warnings or advertisements online.
  • Respondents who reported seeing tobacco-related warnings and advertisements were more likely to have attempted to quit smoking within the past year.

 

The researchers concluded that these findings suggest an opportunity to use the internet to communicate the harms of tobacco products with messages tailored towards adults experiencing homelessness.

Source: Elser et al. (2019). Exposure to pro- and anti-tobacco messages online and off-line among people experiencing homelessness. Preventive Medicine Report, Jul 3, 15, 100944.

Did You Know? Low Income Linked to E-Cigarette Use

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A recently published study examined associations between sociodemographic factors and e-cigarette use in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for years 2015-2016 were analyzed to assess e-cigarette use.

 

Findings included:

  • Compared with adults aged ≥55 years, odds of e-cigarette use were 4.77 times higher among ages 18 to 34 years and 2.16 times higher among ages 35 to 54 years.
  • Higher odds of e-cigarette use were observed among widowed/divorced/separated participants compared with those who were married/living with a partner, among participants with less than high school or high school/general educational development (GED) education compared with those with college degrees/some college, and among those with incomes below the poverty level compared with above the poverty level.
  • For non-smokers of conventional cigarettes, higher odds of e-cigarette use were observed among males compared with females, Mexican Americans/Other Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites, and non-working participants compared with those who were working.

 

Overall findings indicate that individuals who are widowed/divorced/separated, individuals with lower education, and with incomes below the poverty level are more likely to report ever use of e-cigarettes.

Source: Stallings-Smith & Ballantyne (2019). Ever Use of E-Cigarettes Among Adults in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sociodemographic Factors. Inquiry, Jan-Dec, 56:46958019864479.

California Rising Conference Art Gallery – Call For Entries!

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Art is a powerful tool for social change.
The California Rising: Empowering Communities to Advance Health Equity conference planning workgroup invites you to submit visual art for display during a Gallery Walk session at the conference. Creative pieces will be curated alongside data-centered poster boards depicting the story of tobacco-related disparities in California. The Gallery Walk will present visual information to reinforce the conference themes of economic inequality, tobacco industry, and traumatization, while also presenting images of action and community resilience.

FAQs

What types of visual art will be accepted?
A broad range of visual art will be considered for the Gallery Walk. Painting, drawing, photography (including Photovoice projects), sculpture, ceramics, crafts, textiles, video or recording, short written work (e.g. poetry), and others are welcome. Artifacts of culture (such as flags, clothing, accessories, and similar items) are also welcome.

The workgroup is particularly interested in pieces that showcase the tobacco industry’s targeted efforts on diverse communities; highlight data that bring tobacco-related disparities to life through visual imagery; and explore how diverse communities interpret their experience with tobacco problems and resiliency, through their unique lens. Consider perspectives that you can relate to through factors such as:

  • Race, ethnicity, culture;
  • Age,
  • Gender,
  • Sexual Orientation,
  • Socioeconomic Status,
  • Military Service Member/ Veteran Status,
  • And many more perspectives.
What are the technical requirements for submissions?
A broad and diverse range of submissions is sought; however, please note the following technical requirements
  • Accommodation cannot be made for: pieces that are greater than 24 inches in any direction (with the exception of folded textiles, for example); any piece weighing more than 25 pounds.
  • If you are submitting a digital image of your work (for example, a photo depicting tobacco’s impact on your community or a photo of your artwork in lieu of displaying the actual piece) you will be asked to provide a high resolution image, which the workgroup may choose to print on poster board for display.
  • You may submit work even if you are not attending the event, but will need to make special arrangements for drop off/pickup, and the California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP) may not be able to accommodate all arrangements. If you would like to submit work but will not be present, a digital image may be the best option.
  • If you include tobacco products of any kind in your work, they must be contained in a way that Gallery Walk participants are not exposed to toxic/unpleasant tobacco odors.
  • You may submit more than one entry.
  • The goal of the Gallery Walk is to provide a space for thoughtful reflection and candid informal discussion on tobacco related health inequities. The workgroup may decline submissions that are not aligned with the theme or intent of the Gallery Walk, or that are not logistically possible to accommodate.

    If you are unsure if your submission meets the technical requirements, or you have any questions before submitting, please contact Kara Gash at kara.gash@cdph.ca.gov.

    When and where will submissions be displayed?
    Your work will be displayed in a breakout room during the conference. The Gallery Walk room will remain locked when not attended by a CTCP staff room monitor. CTCP will be diligent in the care of submitted pieces, but is not responsible for any loss or damage that may occur.

    When is Drop off/ Pickup?
    Accepted pieces can be dropped off with CTCP staff at the registration table the evening prior to the conference or the morning of the conference. For anyone submitting work, but not attending the conference, it is the responsibility of the submitter to make arrangements for pickup/drop off with the CTCP point of contact, Kara Gash.

Have Questions or Need a Submission Form?
Contact Kara Gash at kara.gash@cdph.ca.gov.
Email your completed form and creative piece to Kara Gash.

You will be asked to upload a photo of your work, dimensions, a brief statement about your work tying it to one or more conference themes, and your contact information.

Deadline to submit: October 11, 2019

CTCP RFA “Advancing Momentum for a Tobacco-Free California” is Now Open!

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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP) has released a Request for Application (RFA) 20-10005 – Advancing Momentum for a Tobacco-Free California.

This Request for Application (RFA) will fund approximately thirty-five (35) progressive projects with three (3) or more years of demonstrated agency and staff experience in tobacco control to advance proven strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use, strengthen partnerships with priority populations, and increase the reach and impact of tobacco control programs in underserved areas.

 

 

Need help in completing an RFA?

The LOOP has experienced Tailored Assistance Trainers who can support you in this process at NO CHARGE! Email us at TheLOOP@ucsf.edu.

 

View RFA Details Here!

Did You Know? Cigarette Use is Lower Among American Indians and Alaska Natives Living on Tribal Lands

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A recently published study examined whether cigarette use among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) is lower in metropolitan areas than in rural areas and tribal lands (which are predominantly rural).

 

Findings included:

·         Metropolitan (large or small) areas versus rural areas: no statistically significant differences in cigarette use were found.

·         Metropolitan (large or small) areas versus tribal lands: days of cigarette use and daily use were significantly lower in tribal lands.

·         Tribal lands were also lower than small metropolitan areas regarding number of cigarettes used and nicotine dependence.

·         Rural areas versus tribal lands: cigarette measures were consistently lower in tribal lands. For example, the prevalence of current smokers, daily users and nicotine dependence, respectively, was 37.9%, 25.9%, and 16.3% in rural areas and 27.4%, 13.6%, and 8.9% in tribal lands.

 

The researchers concluded that differences in cigarette use between AI/AN in nontribal rural and metropolitan areas were not indicated. Instead, the place differences found were lower cigarette use in tribal lands than in nontribal rural areas and, to some extent, metropolitan areas.

 

Source: Cunningham et al. (2019). Cigarette Use Among American Indians and Alaska Natives in Metropolitan Areas, Rural Areas, and Tribal Lands. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, Sep/Oct; 25 Suppl 5.

LAST DAY TO APPLY TO BECOME A LOOP LDP FELLOW! DON’T MISS OUT!

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Join the Final Leadership Development Program Cohort Through UCSF

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Because of the passage of California’s historic 2016 tobacco tax, thousands of jobs in tobacco control across the state of California are being created. The average person has little knowledge of these career opportunities. We want to help you develop your leadership skills as we guide you through a wide array of career-boosting opportunities.

The LOOP LDP can help you to build your capacity and increase your knowledge of tobacco control. We are actively recruiting 12-16 “Fellows” to participate in a comprehensive 8-week program. The fall cohort (Cohort 9) will be the last LDP cohort through UCSF after 8 leadership development cohorts over the past years. The LOOP fellows will have ongoing access to a cadre of mentorship and support. The LDP program will help develop your leadership skills and work through a lens of health equity.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 16, 2019 at 5pm (PST)

Please Address Questions To:
Coordinator Specialist
The LOOP Leadership Development Program
Telephone: (415) 502-3265
Email: TheLOOP@ucsf.edu

APPLY HERE

LOOP LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PAST FELLOW LANDS A JOB! APPLY TO BECOME A FELLOW BY SEPTEMBER 16TH

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LOOP LDP Fellow Jason Cross Lands Outreach Job!

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We are excited to announce that former LOOP LDP Fellow (and current LOOP Tailored Assistance Trainer) Jason Cross recently secured a job as a full-time Outreach Coordinator for Tramutola in Oakland!
Tramutola’s outreach coordinators will be speaking to voters and empowering volunteers in their ability to make an impact on the outcome of the upcoming election. The job description said they needed someone who is a quick learner, a team player, and is passionate about standing up to Big Tobacco – and that is Jason! See Jason’s bio HERE.
Good luck on your new job, Jason, and keep us posted on how it’s going!
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Interested in Becoming a LOOP Fellow? Join the Final LDP Cohort Through UCSF
Because of the passage of California’s historic 2016 tobacco tax, thousands of jobs in tobacco control across the state of California are being created. The average person has little knowledge of these career opportunities. We want to help you develop your leadership skills as we guide you through a wide array of career-boosting opportunities.

The LOOP LDP can help you to build your capacity and increase your knowledge of tobacco control. We are actively recruiting 12-16 “Fellows” to participate in a comprehensive 8-week program. The fall cohort (Cohort 9) will be the last LDP cohort through UCSF after 8 leadership development cohorts over the past years. The LOOP fellows will have ongoing access to a cadre of mentorship and support. The LDP program will help develop your leadership skills and work through a lens of health equity.

APPLY HERE

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 16, 2019 at 5pm (PST)
Please Address Questions To:
Coordinator Specialist
The LOOP Leadership Development Program
Telephone: (415) 502-3265
Email: TheLOOP@ucsf.edu
We look forward to you joining our NINTH & FINAL cohort of leaders!