Breaking News! Federal Government Passes Tobacco 21 Policy
Federal Legal age to buy Tobacco Products Officially Raised to 21 thanks to Senator Young.
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.
February Is American Heart Month – Quit using tobacco products for Your Heart!
If you missed the opportunity to quit smoking for New Year’s, quit for American Heart Month. There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking, and one of the most important reasons is your heart. People who smoke are at a higher risk of strokes and heart diseases. This month, put your hand over your heart, put down your tobacco products and pledge to quit and stay quit!
How Is Smoking Related to Heart Disease and Stroke?
Smoking is a major cause of CVD and causes one of every four deaths from CVD.
Smoking can:
Raise triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood)
Lower “good” cholesterol (HDL)
Cause thickening and narrowing of blood vessels
Increase the buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances) in blood vessels
Damage cells that line the blood vessels
Make blood sticky and more likely to clot, which can block blood flow to the heart and brain
Want the Real Facts on Vaping?
Advocacy Days:
Tobacco Free Indiana
February 18, 2020
Mission
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
COMBAT TOBACCO USE
Protect and maintain a tobacco control alliance infrastructure needed to combat tobacco use, as well as work locally to reduce tobacco use.
PROTECT HOOSIERS
Work to protect Hoosiers from exposure to secondhand smoke, supporting local and/or statewide smoke-free air ordinances.
DECREASE ADULT SMOKING
Promote the Indiana Quitline (1-800-QUIT NOW) and support employers by providing tobacco treatment resources at their workplace.
PREVENT YOUTH SMOKING
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.orgFor 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
