Smoking Prevention / Public News Service

Tobacco control groups say even though a flavored tobacco ban didn't pass this session, lawmakers still could help end racial disparities caused by menthol products by passing prevention funding. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Federal Move, MN Groups Still Want State Menthol Ban

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Food and Drug Administration is exploring a ban on menthol-flavored cigarettes, a move tobacco-control advocates say is long …

Indiana has an estimated one million smokers. (AdobeStock)

Health Group: Indiana Passes on Another Chance to Reduce Smoking Rates

INDIANAPOLIS -- Health care advocates in Indiana are once again disheartened to see another legislative session pass without action on the state's cig…

States that expanded Medicaid coverage have seen improved rates for colorectal, prostate and cervical cancer screenings compared with non-expansion states. (Pixabay)

Advocates: Medicaid Expansion Would Benefit Cancer Patients

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- The Wyoming Senate has until Wednesday to advance the Medical Treatment Opportunity Act, which cleared the House last week…

According to anti-tobacco advocates, 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, which have been cited as a "predatory product" in communities of color. (Adobe Stock)

MN House Panel Advances Flavored Tobacco Ban

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A proposal to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Minnesota has resurfaced in the Legislature. House Bill 904…

A bill in the Montana Legislature would overturn 11 local ordinances banning flavored vape products. (DedMityay/Adobe Stock)

Advocates Urge MT Lawmakers to Put Out Smoking Rollbacks

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana advocates fighting cancer are urging state lawmakers not to roll back anti-smoking policies this session. February is …

Iowa is one of nearly a dozen states that exempts casinos from smoking bans. (Adobe Stock)

A Push for Permanent Smoking Ban in Iowa Casinos

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The risks facing health-care providers, retail staff and public service employees during the COVID-19 crisis have brought renewed …

Nationwide, more than 21% of students in high school and nearly 5% in middle school report using e-cigarettes and vapes. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Pandemic Increases Vaping, Tobacco Use for KY Students

FRANKFORT, Ky. - More than a third of Kentucky middle and high schoolers say the pandemic has increased their use of e-cigarettes or vapes and other …

When Maryland increased the tobacco tax more than a decade ago, retail cigarette sales dropped 30% across the state. (Adobe Stock)

A Push for Maryland Tobacco Tax to Repair Health Inequities

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland's General Assembly is reconsidering a bill to tax tobacco, with backers touting public health benefits, and health equity …

A 1996 state law prohibits local Kentucky ordinances from governing the marketing and sale of tobacco products. (Adobe Stock)

KY Counties Seek Local Control of Tobacco Marketing, Sales

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Counties across Kentucky say smoking and vaping are hurting their local economies and people's health, and they're fighting for …

The smoking rate for individuals with a behavioral health disorder is nearly twice that of the general population, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — The smoking rate for individuals with a behavioral health disorder is nearly twice that of the general population, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)

NC Center Expands Smoking-Cessation Program for Behavioral-Health Patients

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Smoking is prevalent among people with substance-use disorders, but tobacco-prevention efforts often overlook this population…

Preemption laws can obstruct local tobacco protection efforts, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Preemption laws can obstruct local tobacco protection efforts, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Preemption Laws Block KY Communities from Tobacco Control Measures

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Since 1996, Kentucky has barred cities and counties from enacting tobacco control measures to govern the marketing and sale of …

New research shows a strong correlation between vaping and catching coronavirus. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Program to Reveal Link Between Vaping and COVID-19

RICHMOND, Va. -- Vaping and cigarette smoking are significant risk factors for COVID-19, according to new research from Stanford University published …

According to a new study funded by the National Cancer Institute, Minneapolis has 32 times more tobacco retailers than McDonald's eateries, and 14 times more than Starbucks stores. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Low-Income Neighborhoods, Kids Still Targets of Big Tobacco

MINNEAPOLIS -- Many tobacco retailers are located near public schools and in low-income neighborhoods, according to a new study. It maps out the …

In 2017, more than 14% of Kentucky high school students said they used electronic cigarette products such as JUUL. (Adobe Stock)

E-Cigarette Tax Takes Effect Saturday in KY

FRANKFORT, Ky. - The state's new tax on e-cigarettes goes into effect tomorrow. Prices for cartridge-based e-cigarettes will increase by $1.50 per …

Oregon's cigarette tax rate ranks 32nd in the nation. (berkut_34/Adobe Stock)

OR Anti-Smoking Advocates Tout Cigarette-Tax Ballot Measure

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon would have the highest tax on a pack of cigarettes on the West Coast if a ballot measure passes in November. Anti-smoking …

The use of e-cigarettes jumped 78% nationally among high school students from 2017 to 2018.(AdobeStock)

MI Health Groups Call Tobacco Bill Package "Weak"

LANSING, Mich. - A package of tobacco regulation bills is headed to the Michigan House, and some health organizations are concerned that it doesn't …

Some 30% of Montana high school-age kids say they currently use e-cigarettes, according to a 2019 survey. (Grispb/Adobe Stock)

As Youth Use Rises, MT Proposes Flavored E-Cigarette Ban

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana has proposed banning the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes as a way to curb the growing number of young people using …

Minnesota recently became the 25th state to adopt a Tobacco 21" law, which brings it into line with new federal policies. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Victory, MN Smoking Prevention Efforts Continue

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The people behind Minnesota's smoking prevention efforts say they won't let up, even though they've seen a major victory this …

Research from the CDC finds smoking-related illness costs the U.S. healthcare system more than $300 billion each year. (Adobe Stock)

Governor Expected to Sign Bill Taxing E-Cigarette, Vape Products

FRANKFORT, Ky. - State lawmakers have passed a revenue bill that includes a new excise tax on e-cigarettes. The legislation now heads to the …

Some research shows aerosols from vaping seem to harm pulmonary cells, making those who vape even more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 than smokers. (sarahjohnson1/Pixabay)

CDC: Smoking, Vaping Increase Risk of Severe Coronavirus Infection

LAS VEGAS -- It might seem obvious, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now confirmed that smokers, including those who use …

Supporters of a ban on flavored tobacco in Minnesota say menthol cigarettes historically have been used to recruit new smokers, especially in African-American communities. (Adobe Stock)

Supporters of Flavored Tobacco Ban in MN Still Hopeful of Passage

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A proposed flavored tobacco ban for Minnesota has seen some movement in the Legislature. While lawmakers are shifting their focus …

A survey of Boone County, W.Va., high school students found that 57% use e-cigarettes, almost three times the national average. (Adobe Stock)

Teen Poll Reaffirms WV Student Vaping Epidemic

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Two West Virginia teens concerned about their peers' use of e-cigarettes conducted a poll that now is helping state lawmakers' …

Tobacco use costs Kentucky an estimated $1 billion a year in direct health-care expenses. (Adobe Stock)

KY Officials: New Tobacco Products May Further Confuse Public

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new heat-not-burn tobacco product called IQOS for sale in the U.S., but some …

While many Minnesota cities, along with the federal government, have raised the tobacco-buying age to 21, there's still a push for a statewide mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Supporters of Tobacco-Control Bills Make Push at MN Capitol

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Bills related to smoking prevention have seen a flurry of activity in recent days at the Minnesota capitol. Supporters hope the …

According to a recent survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Hampshire high school students vape more than teens anywhere else in the country. (Ethan Parsa/Pixabay)

NH Considers Moratorium on E-Cigarettes Amid Teen Vaping Surge

CONCORD, N.H. -- A New Hampshire bill advocating a moratorium on e-cigarettes is facing a big vote this week. House Bill 124 on Thursday is having a …

Research shows that vaping products can deliver as much nicotine as traditional cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)

House Bill Would Tax E-Cigarettes, Boost State Revenue

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky lawmakers are considering putting an excise tax on e-cigarettes sold in the Commonwealth. The tax would be equal to the …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it gave Kentucky $1.5 million in 2018 for use toward tobacco prevention programs. (Adobe Stock)

KY Senate Green-Lights Bill to Raise Tobacco-Buying Age to 21

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill that would raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. The bill aims to …

About 33 percent of Virginia high school students have used e-cigarettes at some point, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

VA Anti-Tobacco Bills Aim to Keep Teens from Smoking

RICHMOND, Va. -- Even as the Trump administration raised the age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21 last month, Virginia lawmakers have introduced …

There was a 78% increase in vaping among high school students in the U.S. in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Vaping: It's Not Too Late to Resolve to Quit

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Deaths and hospitalizations linked to e-cigarette use made headlines in 2019, and health experts say it isn't too late to make a …

In a 2018 survey, nearly one in five high school students, and 6% of middle-school students, said they used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. (Pixabay)

Kicking E-Cigarettes Urged as New Year's Resolution

AUSTIN, Texas - Several fatal incidents linked to e-cigarette use made headlines in 2019, and health advocates are hoping young people in Texas and …

In 2017, 26% of Kentucky high school students reported using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers File Anti-Tobacco, Vaping Bills for 2020 Session

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Concern over the growing use of electronic cigarettes and tobacco products among young people in the Commonwealth has spurred …

In Minnesota, health officials say among 8th-grade students, e-cigarette use nearly doubled from 2016 to 2019, and one in four 11th graders now use e-cigarettes. (Isabella Mendes/Librestock)

MN Lawmakers Asked to Place Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Ten Minnesota cities have adopted some form of restrictions for selling flavored tobacco products – and advocates of …

Research shows that youth and young adults who use e-cigarettes are more likely to use other tobacco products, including traditional cigarettes. (NeedPix)

Wyoming Lawmakers, Health Experts Gather to Address Vaping Risks

CASPER, Wyo. – Wyoming teens' rising use of e-cigarettes, a relatively new nicotine delivery system also known as vaping, was the central topic …

Using e-cigarettes or vape products can trigger serious lung damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently named the condition Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury, or EVALI. (Adobe Stock)

KY School Districts Sue E-Cigarette Companies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. ï¿½ Kentucky school districts are trying to stem the tide of vaping that not only is harming the health of their …

Children and young people are being bombarded with tobacco industry marketing for flavored e-cigarettes. (Adobe stock)

MD Lawmakers Urged to Ban Vaping, Menthol Cigarettes

BALTIMORE – As the number of vaping related illnesses continues to rise, Maryland is looking to join five other states in banning the sale and …

A recent study by the Food and Drug Administration found that a quarter of all high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019, up five percentage points from last year. (Wikimedia Commons)

Evidence Suggests E-Cigarettes Not Healthy Alternative

AUSTIN, Texas – In the wake of recent reports of fatal lung illness connected with the use of e-cigarettes, new research seems to confirm …

Rural Americans report less leisure time physical activity and lower seat belt use than their urban counterparts, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Rural Americans Dying More Frequently from Preventable Causes

FRANKFORT, Ky. – More than 46 million Americans live in rural areas, and a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, North Carolina has seen more than 50 cases of vaping-associated lung injury so far. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, North Carolina has seen more than 50 cases of vaping-associated lung injury so far. (Adobe Stock)

American Heart Assn. Accuses Vape Companies of 'Lying'

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The American Heart Association has launched a campaign called #QuitLying, aimed at addressing youth e-cigarette use and …

Study: E-Cigs Could Be More Dangerous Than Traditional

DENVER — In the wake of recent reports of fatal lung illness connected with the use of e-cigarettes, new research seems to confirm concerns …

Smoking only about one cigarette per day carries a risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke, according to the British Medical Journal. (kevsphotos/Pixabay)

Do E-Cigs Help Reduce Dependence on Traditional Cigarettes?

DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 20 new cases of illness linked to vaping have been reported in Iowa in the past month, and experts warn e-…

New Research Shows E-Cigarettes Not Healthy Alternative

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – In the wake of recent reports of fatal lung illness connected with the use of e-cigarettes new research seems to confirm …

Kentucky teens' use of vape products is more than double the national rate, according to the 2018 Kentucky Incentives for Prevention survey. (Adobe Stock)

KY Public Health Officials Launch Teen Vaping Quitline

FRANKFURT, Ky. — Public health officials have launched a free service aimed at helping Kentucky teens quit vaping. The program, called "My Life…

Evidence Mounts E-Cigarettes Not Healthy Alternative

LINCOLN, Neb. – In the wake of recent reports of fatal lung illness connected with the use of e-cigarettes, including a Douglas County resident …

Fewer Wisconsin teens are smoking cigarettes than just five years ago, but the number who vape climbed from 7.9% in 2014 to more than 20% in 2018. (gsu.edu)

WI Looks to Become Latest "Tobacco 21" State

MADISON, Wis. – The latest push to discourage teen smoking has reached Wisconsin as lawmakers consider a bill that would raise the tobacco …

Despite adopting strong smoke-free laws in public places, about 1,000 North Dakotans die each year from smoking-related diseases. (eddie welker/Flickr)

Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Prevention Methods Key in ND

BISMARCK, N.D. – November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, putting a spotlight on one of the leading causes of cancer death in the country…

Just like public health officials, law enforcement agencies are trying to figure out the dangers of illegal vaping products, and who is selling them. (AAFP.org)

Law Enforcement Predicts Growing Black Market For Vaping

NEW HOPE, Minn. — States across the country, including Minnesota, are investigating a rise in vaping-related illnesses and deaths. In some …

As of this month, at least 49 people in Tennessee have been hospitalized with serious lung injuries from using vaping products, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. (Adobe Stock)

TN Medical Association Calls for Ban on Flavored Vape Products

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Gov. Bill Lee has yet to respond to medical professionals calling for a statewide emergency ban on flavored vaping products…

Seven in 10 teens are exposed to e-cigarette advertising, according to the National Institute on Drug abuse. (Adobe Stock)

‘My Life, My Quit’ Aims to Help NH Teens Give Up Vaping

CONCORD, N.H. - Whether they use vaping products or cigarettes, New Hampshire teens who want help quitting now can connect with a tobacco-cessation …

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