Directors Update
Hello friends of CAHL,

Spring - a breath of fresh air. This spring feels much lighter, brighter and clear. Things are definitely changing … and that includes tobacco (let’s just get right into it). The good news is that we’re actively working to fight back. CAHL’s new campaign that launched in the community this week is building off of more than a decade’s worth of experience in tobacco prevention and control to ensure no one in our community - parents, adults, retailers, and schools - is fooled by today’s tobacco tricks through the “Tobacco Is Changing” campaign. 

Tobacco is changing. It’s the reality of the tobacco landscape we are working in today – especially when it comes to e-cigarettes. Remember how shocked we all were when we first heard about JUUL, the disposable e-cigarette that looks like a flash drive? Well, that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the many shapes that e-cigarettes now take, including smart watches, makeup compacts, they’re even hidden in hoodies and backpacks. Today’s tobacco looks completely different. Between the flashy colors, sleek designs, and outrageous flavor options, it’s actually quite disgusting how far these products have gone to blend into kids’ daily life. It’s so important that everyone in our community, not just parents, but schools and retailers too, know that today’s tobacco is hiding in plain sight. We don’t want anyone to be fooled. We can’t be fooled. Addiction poses a very real and very dangerous threat to our kids. E-cigarettes continue to be the tobacco product of choice for teens.

So please, take a moment today to check out our website (www.cahlinc.org) and view the awesome resources that we put together for parents, adults, schools, retailers and businesses. We want you all to see just how tobacco is changing. We want our whole community to know about these deceptive tactics from the tobacco industry to addict our youth. Let’s be part of the change - let’s show tobacco companies who really is in charge, and that’s us. Let’s prevent our kids from a lifetime of addiction. We are here for anyone who wants to chat more about this or get resources to support the effort.

Stay in touch!  
Wendy
Drug Free Communities
REACH Staff receive Prevention Specialist Certification
Congratulations to Annie von Neupert and Hannah Wilz on earning their Prevention Specialist Certification through the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. This credential requires 120 hours of education focused on alcohol, tobacco, and other substance misuse including planning and evaluation, prevention education, service delivery, communication, community organization, public policy and environmental change, professional growth and responsibility. 
Meet Cassie: REACH Intern
Hi, I’m Cassie! I’m currently a junior at UW Oshkosh studying Human Service Leadership. I chose to do my internship at CAHL because I’m interested in learning more about alcohol, tobacco, and other substance misuse and ways to prevent it. I’m also interested in working with youth and helping them live healthier lifestyles. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, reading, traveling, and being up north!
REACH to promote Small Talks Campaign
The percentage of Wisconsin teens who’ve tried alcohol exceeds the national average. 
While underage drinking rates dropped 6% between 2013 and 2017 nationwide, Wisconsin’s rate dropped only 1%. Underage drinking is a real problem in Wisconsin, it starts earlier than you might think.

To build public awareness of the importance of talking to young people early and often about the effects of underage drinking, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services launched the Small Talks Campaign. Small Talks seeks to normalize conversations with young people about the dangers of underage drinking.

In May, REACH will share Small Talks materials including yard signs and social media messaging to bring awareness to this important topic. If you are interested in joining our efforts or would like campaign marketing materials please contact annie@cahlinc.org.
COVID may have caused a hiccup in school programs, but not for the REACH Youth group at Chilton High School. Sofia Billmann helped create Fact Check Friday.

“Our goal with creating Fact Check Friday was to not only spread word to our peers about the REACH Coalition, but to also inform them on the dangers of alcohol and tobacco. Fact Check Friday, is meant to show students the damage these substances can cause because after all, it's just the truth".

Fact Check Friday will take place every Friday in an email sent to the entire high school, until the end of the school year. 
FACT Students Won't Be Fooled 
Kaukauna FACT student, Sameeksha Srinivasan, submitted a letter to the editor of the local paper in support of the Tobacco is Changing Campaign. Great work Sameeksha!

Stay in the know
Tobacco is Getting Tougher to Recognize
Cigarette use may be dropping among Wisconsin's youth, but newer, less recognizable tobacco products are gaining popularity fast, and that’s not good because there’s no such thing as a safe tobacco product.
Tobacco companies are working hard to make their products cheaper, more accessible, and easier to hide from adults than ever before. Designed to deliver nicotine, a highly addictive additive that can keep kids hooked for life, these new products come in a wide range of shapes and styles.

Debunking Common E-Cigarette Myths
There's a lot of information about e-cigarettes out there today. But not all of it is true. In this short, interactive video, we work to debunk some of the most common myths about e-cigarettes so you're not fooled!

Tap into a network of free and affordable support resources, including: quitting coaches, peer support, and helplines that offer help by phone call, live chat, or texting.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free quitting support and more.

Check out these additional resources:

WI WINS
Wisconsin Wins is a science-based, state-level initiative designed to decrease youth access to tobacco products. Through Wins, investigations or compliance checks, are conducted to facilitate retailer compliance with the law. 

For more information about WI Wins, visit www.wiwins.org
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, WI Wins compliance investigations have been suspended. We will resume when guidelines are lifted, and it is safe for everyone to participate. In the meantime, CAHL will continue to connect with local retailers to share information and resources to keep tobacco out of the hands of youth.
Retailers: Train your employees.
Fast. Easy. Free. And good for business

When your employees sell any tobacco product to young people under the age of 21, your business pays the price. But there’s an easy way to avoid expensive fines.