Local Public Health Leaders Meet with State Lawmakers; Share Community-Level Progress in Tobacco Use Reduction
Discussed Areas of Concern: Disparities in Tobacco Use; Appeal of E-Cigarettes and Nicotine PouchesTobacco prevention experts from the Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes (TACFL) met with staff members from the offices of the following: Senator Pamela Helming on February 25th, at the Legislative Office Building in Albany, NY, and with Assemblyman Philip Palmesano on January 22nd in a joint meeting with Senator Thomas O'Mara and Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend at their district office in Elmira, NY.
The Coalition highlighted state and local progress in reducing tobacco use and underscored how tobacco prevention and treatment efforts reduce illness, disability, and death related to commercial tobacco use. This lifesaving, state-funded work is supported locally and across the state by the New York State Tobacco Control Program.
According to the New York State (NYS) Department of Health, the state’s average adult smoking rate declined over the period from 12% to 9.8% between 2020 to 2023.This progress reflects, in part, the impact of the state’s Tobacco Control Program. Even with this improvement, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease, with 1.4 million adults in NYS identifying as cigarette smokers. All counties covered by TACFL have adult smoking rates above the state average (14.1% in Ontario County, 19.6% in Seneca County, 19.7% in Wayne County, and 13.2% in Yates County).
Nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes further threaten public health
During the meeting, the group discussed the growing popularity of nicotine pouches and continued appeal of e-cigarettes, particularly among youth, which poses a serious threat to future progress. These products increase the risk of nicotine addiction among young people. In addition, recent cuts to federal tobacco prevention and control programs could reverse decades of hard-won gains.
“New York State leads the nation in tobacco control policies, but there is still work to be done” said Hannah Lee, TACFL’s Program Director. “We must continue to educate on these deadly products and deceptive marketing tactics. Change is what happens when we continue having these important conversations with our elected officials.”
Tobacco prevention and treatment #SavesLivesSavesMoney
The NYS Tobacco Control Program has demonstrated a remarkable return on investment, with New York seeing a $15 return for every dollar spent on the program.
About The Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes
The Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes (TACFL) is a NYS Bureau of Tobacco Control grant-funded program held by American Lung Association. TACFL works to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. Visit www.smokefreefingerlakes.com for more information, or contact Hannah Lee at [email protected].
