Did You Know? Neighborhood Poverty Linked to Tobacco Retailer Density and Prevalence of Smoking

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A recently published study explored the effect of tobacco retailer density, neighborhood poverty, and housing type (multiunit and public) on smoking in a large urban environment (New York City). Researchers analyzed data on smoking prevalence and individual sociodemographic characteristics from the 2011-2013 New York City Community Health Survey, data on tobacco retailers from the 2012 New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, data on neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics and population density from the 2009-2013 American Community Survey, and data on multiunit and public housing from the 2012 New York City Primary Land Use Tax Lot Output data set.

 

Findings included:

  • Neighborhood poverty positively and significantly modified the association between tobacco retailer density and prevalence of neighborhood smoking.
  • Neighborhood poverty was positively associated with the prevalence of individual smoking.

 

Source: Farley et al. (2019). The Influence of Tobacco Retailer Density and Poverty on Tobacco Use in a Densely Populated Urban Environment. Public Health Reports, Mar/Apr;134(2):164-171. doi: 10.1177/0033354918824330. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

“Flava In Ya Ear: Integrating Hip-Hop Culture Into Your Advocacy” Presented by The LOOP’s Godfrey Ramos

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On February 22, 2019, Godfrey Ramos of The LOOP presented for Madera County’s youth coalition, Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Team. His presentation entitled, “Flava In Ya Ear: Integrating Hip-Hop Culture Into Your Advocacy”, focused on how to use the 5 Elements of Hip-Hop Culture (Emceeing, DJing, Breakdancing, Graffiti Art, and Knowledge) as a way to mobilize youth, as well the community, around tobacco control efforts.
Godfrey also presented at the 20th Annual Leaders in Life (LIL) Conference in Bakersfield on March 14, 2019. According to the LIL website, students are “educated and enlightened on issues that are important to them so that they can make healthy and informed decisions regarding drug and alcohol abuse, future career exploration, and youth advocacy; and they are motivated to help others make positive decisions.” This was Godfrey’s third consecutive year presenting at the conference.
Godfrey’s presentation has continued to gain buzz and interest because of the way it resonates with youth and young adults. He has been invited to present at the SOL Project’s 2019 SOLdiers Spring Summit in Sacramento this Saturday, April 13th!

If you would like to request assistance from Godfrey or another LOOP Tailored Assistance Trainer for your needs, contact us atTheLOOP@ucsf.edu!

Did You Know? That Following a Campus-Wide Tobacco Ban, Combustible Cigarette Use Declined, but E-Cigarette Use Increased?

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A newly published study examined changes in prevalence of e-cigarette use and perceptions of the harmfulness of e-cigarette and combustible cigarettes following a campus-wide tobacco ban. Undergraduate students completed surveys of tobacco use and perceived product harmfulness. Four samples were collected: in 2013 prior to the ban (n = 792) and in fall 2014 (n = 310), 2015 (n = 208), and 2016 (n = 417).
Findings included:
  • E-cigarette use increased in the years following the ban while combustible cigarette use decreased from 2013 to 2016.
  • Men were more likely than women to use both products.
  • Students’ perceptions of the harmfulness of combustible and electronic cigarettes remained stable in the years following the ban.
Source: Leavens et al. (2019). Electronic cigarette and combustible cigarette use following a campus-wide ban: Prevalence of use and harm perceptions. Journal of American College Health, Jan 25:1-4. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1551803. [Epub ahead of print]

APPLY BY APRIL 26th TO JOIN THE SUMMER 2019 LOOP LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM!

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You’ve Got The Job…Now What??

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Due to the passage of California’s historic 2016 tobacco tax (Prop 56), California is once again taking her place as a world leader in tobacco control. Our increased funding levels and new hires are bringing resources and new life and energy to our movement. With the huge success of last year’s CTCP Tobacco University Conference, The LOOP sees the need to continue the education and onboarding of people new to tobacco control.
To that end, the Summer 2019 Leadership Development Program (LDP) will be dedicated to those people who are working in tobacco control and have been in their position for four years or less. 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 (May 8th – June 29th). Once successful applicants complete the program, they will receive a certificate of completion from The LOOP at the University of California, San Francisco. You will also have ongoing access to a cadre of mentorship and support that can benefit your career. We want to help you develop your leadership skills and work through a lens of health equity. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 26, 2019 at 5pm (PST)

APPLY NOW!

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 EIGHTH cohort of leaders!

The LOOP Presented at the Urban Flavored Tobacco Training in Long Beach!

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“Tackling Menthol in Flavored Tobacco Restrictions”

On March 22 in Long Beach, LOOP Director Dr. Valerie Yerger presented “Tackling Menthol in Flavored Tobacco Restrictions.”
Dr. Yerger talked about cities that have been successful in implementing a flavors ban. She also shared strategies used by the tobacco industry to disrupt progress.
This was a one-day training on developing and implementing policy campaigns restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products in urban settings.
The goals of the training were to:
  • Increase participant knowledge about flavored tobacco products
  • Provide recommendations tailored for urban counties on policy, messaging, priority populations, and policy adaptation 
  • Share strategies on how to successfully adopt and implement a strong policy restricting the sale of flavored tobacco

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If you would like to request a Tailored Assistance Trainer from The LOOP for your needs, contact us at TheLOOP@ucsf.edu!

Did You Know? That Tobacco Use Disorders Disproportionally Affect Lower Socioeconomic Heart Failure Patients?

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A recently published study examined the burden of tobacco and substance use disorders among hospitalized heart failure patients in the United States.
Findings included:
  • Of 989,080 heart failure hospitalizations, 16% had documented tobacco or substance use disorder.
  • Female sex was associated with lower rates of tobacco and substance use disorder.
  • Tobacco and substance use disorder rates were highest for hospitalizations <55 years of age.
  • Medicaid insurance or income in the lowest quartile were associated with increased risk of tobacco and substance use disorders.

The researchers concluded that enhanced screening for tobacco and substance use disorders in hospitalized heart failure patients may reveal opportunities for treatment and secondary prevention.
Source: Snow et al. (2018). National Rate of Tobacco and Substance Use Disorders Among Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients. The American Journal of Medicine, Dec 16. pii: S0002-9343(18)31168-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.11.038. [Epub ahead of print]

Study Finds that Alaska Natives/American Indians in Contiguous US More Likely to be Smokers Compared to Other Races, but no Association Between Race and Smoking in Alaska

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Tribal Smoking

Few studies have focused on understanding how sociodemographic factors impact healthy ageing in the rapidly growing population of Alaskan older adults. A newly published study compared the health of Alaskan older adults to those in the contiguous US, and determined how the associations differ between older adults in Alaska and the contiguous US.

 

Findings included:

·         In the contiguous US, females were less likely than males to be obese, while in Alaska, females were more likely to be obese.

·         In the contiguous US, Alaska Natives/American Indians were more likely than respondents of other races to be smokers, while in Alaska, the association between race and smoking was not significant.

·         These differences between Alaska and the contiguous US results suggest that programs designed to reduce disparities and promote healthy behaviours may need to be tailored to meet the unique needs and challenges of older adults living in Alaska.

 

Source: Cohen et al. (2019). Disparities in social determinants of health outcomes and behaviours between older adults in Alaska and the contiguous US: evidence from a national survey. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, Dec;78(1):1557980. doi: 10.1080/22423982.2018.1557980.

Did You Know? Strong Local Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinances Linked to Lower Tobacco Use among Youth

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Restricting youth access to tobacco is a central feature of US tobacco regulatory policy, but impact of local tobacco retail licensing (TRL) regulation on cigarette smoking rates remains uncertain. A newly published study examined the effects of TRL on other tobacco product use and use as adolescents reach the age to legally purchase tobacco products. Prevalences of ever and past 30-day cigarette, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), cigar, and hookah use were assessed in a survey of a cohort of 1553 11th- and 12th-grade adolescents. An American Lung Association (2014) youth access grade was assigned to each of 14 political jurisdictions in which participants lived on the basis of the strength of the local TRL ordinance.

 

Findings included:

·         At baseline, participants living in 4 jurisdictions with “A” grades (ie, with most restrictive ordinances) had lower odds of ever cigarette use and past 30-day use than participants in 10 D- to F-grade jurisdictions.

·         At follow-up at legal age of purchase, lower odds of cigarette use initiation occurred in jurisdictions with stronger TRL policy.

·         Lower odds of e-cigarette initiation at follow-up and of initiation with past 30-day use were also associated with better regulation.

 

The researchers concluded that strong local TRL ordinance may lower rates of cigarette and e-cigarette use among youth and young adults.

 

Source: Astor et al. (2019). Tobacco Retail Licensing and Youth Product Use. Pediatrics, Jan 7. pii: e20173536. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-3536. [Epub ahead of print]

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Health Education Specialist – Youth Engagement Coordinator

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Under general direction, to independently plan, develop, implement and evaluate the educational components for health programs or special projects.

This is a specialized recruitment position that requires training and experience working directly to recruit and engage youth (ages 12-21) in community settings. This position is responsible for youth recruitment, coordination and implementation of select programs, and the facilitation of programs and events in school-based and community settings.

Applicants must have at least two (2) years experience working directly with youth in a community setting (non-clinical or institutional setting), and have knowledge of youth development principles and practices, youth participatory and shared leadership practices, community organizing and advocacy practices, and possess an understanding or have interest in the needs and challenges of diverse youth in the county. Applicants must also possess at least two (2) years experience and demonstrated ability in group training and facilitation to youth audiences of various sizes.

Learn More and Apply Here!