Vape-Free Schools Initiative
The American Lung Association is helping schools navigate the youth vaping epidemic through its Vape-Free Schools Initiative, which offers tools to protect and support both schools and students. Schools that are recognized as members of the Vape-Free Schools Initiative demonstrate a commitment to supporting students affected by e-cigarettes by offering clear guidance, education and cessation. To be a member of the initiative, one or more school personnel or designated community partners must complete the Vape-Free Schools Initiative training programs and tobacco-free policy assessment, available through the Lung Association’s online platform. Once recognized as a Vape-Free School, school personnel receive a toolkit of resources to help promote their efforts to students, parents, staff and the community.
For more information on the initiative, please click here.
|
|
FDA Postpones Required Warnings for Cigarette Packages
On December 2, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted a motion by the plaintiffs in the case of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. et al. v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) et al. (No. 6:20-cv-00176) to postpone the effective date of the “Required Warnings for Cigarette Packages and Advertisements” final rule by an additional 90 days. In response to that decision, FDA announced that the new effective date of the final rule is January 14, 2022. Any obligation to comply with a deadline tied to the effective date of that rule is similarly postponed. FDA strongly encourages entities to submit cigarette plans (as required by 21 CFR 1141.10(g)) as soon as possible, and in any event by March 16, 2021. FDA intends to revise its relevant guidance documents related to the rule with the new effective date.
To continue reading, please click here.
|
|
CBP, FDA Seize Counterfeit, Unauthorized E-Cigarettes
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport working in conjunction with agents from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 33,681 units of e-cigarettes with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $719,453. In December 2020, CBP seized 42 separate shipments arriving from China destined to various Texas counties. The shipments included individual disposable flavored e-cigarette cartridges resembling the Puff Bar brand, including Puff XXL and Puff Flow. “Many counterfeit, unapproved or unauthorized products are likely produced in unregulated facilities with unverified ingredients posing a serious health concern to consumers. It is especially alarming when these types of counterfeit and unauthorized products find their way into the hands of children as studies indicate,” said CBP Port Director Timothy Lemaux. CBP remains committed to working with FDA to intercept and seize products that threaten U.S. consumers.
To read the full news release, please click here.
|
|
Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation Evaluates Statewide Tobacco 21 Laws
Following a comprehensive evaluation of 33 statewide Tobacco 21 laws, the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation (PTAF) concluded there is much more to be done to protect kids from the harms of tobacco use and nicotine addiction. Using a best practice from the Tobacco 21 Model Policy as a guide, PTAF evaluated and issued grades to each state in multiple areas including enforcement, licensing, penalty structures, and whether a state allows or preempts local enactment of tobacco control laws. PTAF assigned Pennsylvania’s Tobacco 21 law an overall grade of C, primarily due to its penalty structure and preemption.
To continue reading, please click here.
For the full Pennsylvania grade card, please click here.
|
|
Is It More Than Just Bad Asthma? |
|
Join the American Lung Association for the second webcast in the asthma series. This webcast, generously supported by GlaxoSmithKline, will provide a more focused understanding of asthma control and whether your asthma may be severe. Topics to be covered during this event include:
- How Well Do You Understand Asthma?
- When Is Asthma More Than Just “Bad Asthma”?
- What's the Impact of Asthma on Your Life?
- What Are Your Goals for Control?
- Take Action
This webcast is recommended for adults with asthma or caregivers of people with asthma. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Tuesday, January 19th, 2021
3:00 p.m. ET
|
|
Save the Date: Day at the Capitol 2021 |
|
This year’s Day at the Capitol event will take place virtually to ensure advocates across Pennsylvania can safely come together and meet with legislators to provide education on important tobacco control issues throughout the commonwealth.
Please mark your calendars and share with community partners.
Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Location: Online
|
|
Health Promotion Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
