Smoking Prevention / Public News Service

More than 60% of rural counties lack a psychiatrist, and almost half do not have a psychologist, compared with 27% and 19% of urban counties, respectively. (Adobe Stock)

Addressing Challenges to Behavioral Health Care in Rural Wyoming

A new report spotlights some of the challenges to accessing behavioral health care for the one in seven Americans who live in rural areas. Kendall …

According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2.8% (14,400) high school students smoke in Virginia. The percentage of high schoolers who use e-cigarettes is 14.3%, slightly higher than the percentage of adults who smoke, 12.4%. (Adobe Stock)

VA Groups Aim to Reduce Youth Tobacco Use

Virginia groups are using different methods to warn young people about the dangers of smoking. Along with tobacco-free parks, the state has taken …

Signs someone could be having a stroke and needs immediate emergency care include loss of speech, vision or the inability to move their arms or legs or maintain balance. (Adobe Stock)

National Stroke Awareness Month Spotlights Environmental Factors

Cardiovascular diseases are the world's leading cause of disability and death, and are responsible for nearly a million deaths each year in the U.S.…

After finding out he had high blood pressure, Bowling Green resident Harlan Holmes went from a sedentary lifestyle to running marathons. (Holmes)

As COVID Subsides, Kentuckians Focus on Healthy Habits

The "Raise Your Guard" Campaign is encouraging Kentuckians to be more physically active, minimize stress, load up on fruits and vegetables, and …

Smoking prevention groups said because there are thousands of flavored tobacco products on the market, teens are gravitating toward them and picking up health risks along the way. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Flavored Tobacco Ban for MN Back on Table

Youth advocates continue to sound the alarm over the impact flavored tobacco products have on teenagers, and hope Minnesota lawmakers take another …

Among adolescents who currently use any tobacco product, the proportion whose first tobacco product was e-cigarettes increased from 27.2% in 2014 to 78.3% in 2019 and remained at 77.0% in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Settlement Money to Help NE Fight Epidemic of Teen E-cig Use

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said more than $8 million will be the state's share of a multistate lawsuit against e-cigarette maker Juul Lab…

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, 31% of all middle- and high-school students surveyed said they used a tobacco product in the last 30 days. (Adobe Stock)

More Than 3 Million Youths Use Tobacco Products Across U.S.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration finds a little more than 3 million kids nationwide use …

Early diagnosis rates in America have increased 17% over the last five years. (Adobe Stock)<br />

State of Lung Cancer Report has Indiana Behind the Curve

The American Lung Association has released its 2022 State of Lung Cancer report, which shows Indiana has some work to do. The leading cause of lung …

All Juul e-cigarettes have a high level of nicotine, but a single Juul pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes, according to the manufacturer. (Adobe Stock)

Efforts to Curb Youth Vaping Fall Short

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S., yet efforts to prevent kids from picking up the habit continue to …

More than three million U.S. middle- and high-school students reported current use of any tobacco product in 2022, representing approximately one in six high-school students and one in 22 middle-school students. (Adobe Photo)

Experts: Teens Want to Talk About Risks of Vaping

Today marks the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, an effort meant to encourage those who smoke or vape to quit, especially younger …

In Johnson County, Iowa, 13% of adults describe themselves as being in

IA County Studies Why Residents Don't Get the Healthcare They Need

Johnson County, Iowa, is on a fact-finding mission - to determine what its residents need most for a good community health program. The county is …

Tobacco advertising for menthol products in particular has long targeted the African American community. (American Heart Association)

New CA Report Details Tobacco Industry Marketing to Vulnerable Groups

A new report from Stanford University finds tobacco companies continue to directly target African Americans, women, and young people with their …

Earlier year, the FDA temporarily banned all Juul products from the market, but was forced to reverse that decision after the company challenged the agency in court. (Adobe Stock)

TN to Receive $13 Million in Juul Deceptive Marketing Settlement

After an investigation found the e-cigarette maker Juul Labs deliberately targeted young people using a variety of marketing practices, Tennessee is …

Menthol in cigarettes reduces the physical irritation of smoking, which can make it more difficult to quit smoking. (Adobe Stock)

Backers of Menthol Cigarette Ban Cite Health Benefits for Black Ohioans

The Food and Drug Administration could soon ban the manufacture and sale of menthol cigarettes, a move advocates in Ohio said could have a positive …

The vaporized liquid found in e-cigarettes or 'vapes' commonly leads to chronically dry mouth and increased risk for tooth decay, research shows. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Dentists: Vaping Increases Risk of Tooth, Gum Problems

North Carolina dentists are noticing an uptick in problems with teeth and gums among people who vape. Experts say vaping can cause as much damage to …

FDA to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine as Vaping Among KY Teens Climbs

Last week President Joe Biden signed legislation that allows the Food and Drug Administration to regulate synthetic nicotine, used in vape products …

Researchers and smoking prevention groups say there are tens of thousands of flavored tobacco products on the market. (Adobe Stock)

New Local Ordinances, Push for Statewide Tobacco Restrictions in MN

With 2022 underway, more than 20 Minnesota cities now have local ordinances restricting or banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, and the new …

Research from Yale University has shown the chemicals in vaping products can reach a teen's brain in about 10 seconds, and that frequent use among young people can lead to problems related to focus and memory. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

KY Communities Continue Push for Local Tobacco Control

State lawmakers are expected to file a tobacco-control bill next year. Healthcare advocacy groups and local elected officials say communities must …

Groups like the American Heart Association report thar nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of heart disease. (Adobe Stock)

New Research Links Pandemic with Higher Blood Pressure

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- High blood pressure among Americans was already a concern before the pandemic. Researchers now say the crisis has created greater …

Black women in the Commonwealth are three to four times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than are non-Hispanic White women, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: Lack of Coverage, Child Care, School Funding Affect Health Outcomes

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- In a few weeks, Kentucky lawmakers will convene the General Assembly, and health advocates are calling for new policies to address …

Close to one million New York City residents smoke tobacco, according to Public Health Solutions. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY a National Leader in Increasing Smoke-Free Households

NEW YORK -- Although New York and the country as a whole saw some progress surrounding the health of children and women, a new report showed there is …

Approximately 3% of the 1,500 students in Montgomery County who were screened for behavioral health indicators were found to be at risk of substance use. (Adobe Stock)

OH County Working to Treat Stressors that Lead to Youth Marijuana Use

DAYTON, Ohio -- An Ohio county is taking a trauma-informed approach to its work on preventing marijuana use in teens. As marijuana policy changes …

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

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 />

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 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

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 …

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