Beginning in the summer of 2020, it will be a violation of federal law to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 21. The law also emcopmasses e cigarettes and vaping cartridges, not just traditional tobacco products like cigarettes and cigars. Raising the age one can purchase the products is intended to combat what is a health epidemic among youth.

Tobacco addiction starts early. 90 percent of people who smoke started before the age of 18 and 95 percent started before the age of 21.

WHAT'S YOUR REASON?

Reason #11:

Indiana teens are more likely to use vaping devices than cigarettes. The increase in vaping among youth is rising at such an alarming rate that the U.S. Surgeon General is calling it an epidemic that “demands action to protect the lives of young people.” Know the risks. Visit: 

Indiana State Department of Health: https://www.in.gov/isdh/tpc/2764.htm

Surgeon General: https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/

If you or someone you know is ready to free themselves from tobacco, free resources for quitting are available: 1.800.Quit.Now (1-800-784-8669) or (1-855-335-3569) (for Spanish speakers) or visit https://www.quitnowindiana.com/ -This free service offers many resources, including coaching, help with making a quit plan, educational materials, referrals to other resources where you live, information on FDA-approved cessation medications, and, in some cases, free or discounted cessation medications.

New Year's Resolution: Quit Smoking

“If now is your time to quit tobacco, there are many tools available to help you find and follow a quit strategy that works for you.”

Whether you’ve never tried to quit or have tried many times, a new year means another chance to create your successful quit plan. Call 1.800.Quit.Now or #DitchJuul text 88709

Want the Real Facts on Vaping?

Check out behindthehaze.com

Tobacco Free Howard County is a coalition including local partners, nonprofit, health ,faith and community organizations committed to educating the public on the deadly hazards of tobacco use. We are committed to decreasing secondhand exposure, encouraging smoking cessation (1.800.Quit.Now) and youth advocacy to improve a healthier smoke free community.

Services

Protect and maintain a tobacco control alliance infrastructure needed to combat tobacco use, as well as work locally to reduce tobacco use.

Work to protect Hoosiers from exposure to secondhand smoke, supporting local and/or statewide smoke-free air ordinances.

Promote the Indiana Quitline (1-800-QUIT NOW) and support employers by providing tobacco treatment resources at their workplace.

Promote and educate the community about tobacco point-of-sale strategies implemented at the local level to entice youth to smoke.

Contact

For more information, contact Shirley Dubois, Tobacco Free Coordinator, at: 765.513.8514 or shirley.dubois@kokomoymca.org

For more information on cessation, visit: https://www.quitnowindiana.com/

For more information about the smoke free ordinance, visit: http://www.howardcountyin.gov/community/smoke-free

Community Support

After decades of progress lowering smoking rates, we know what works to protect youth from tobacco products. We need state lawmakers to act this year to make sure communities have the resources they need to do this work. Raising the cigarette tax by $2 will generate resources to take on this epidemic. #RaiseItForHealth