Tobacco Free Action Communities in Columbia & Greene Shares Impact of Local Tobacco Prevention with Senator Hinchey

Photo Caption: Tobacco Free Action Communities (TFACCG) recently met with Senator Hinchey to discuss youth nicotine addiction and local tobacco prevention efforts. Left to Right: Director of TFAC Ulster Dutchess Sullivan Ellen Reinhard, Senator Michelle Hinchey, Community Engagement Coordinator of TFAC Columbia Greene Jennifer Reilly Bluma. 

Tobacco prevention experts from Tobacco Free Action Communities (TFACCG) in Columbia & Greene recently met with Senator Michelle Hinchey to discuss how the community is addressing tobacco use and nicotine addiction. TFAC shared stories from local youth, highlighting how significant nicotine addiction has become among their peers.

One 7th grader from Catskill, NY, who previously used a pink, heart-shaped vape with a screen shared how she felt good about throwing away her e-cigarettes. She said, “I threw all 22 vapes away at a random gas station I know I won’t go back to.”

 TFAC conveyed to lawmakers that continued investment in local tobacco control saves lives and reduces healthcare costs. Since 2000, TFAC, a partner of the New York State Tobacco Control Program, has focused on four core goals:

• Preventing the initiation of tobacco use by youth and young adults
• Promoting cessation
• Eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke
• Advancing health equity among populations disproportionately affected by tobacco marketing and use

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Student participation in government is incredibly important, and I’m grateful to the students from across Columbia and Greene who … advocate on the issues that matter most to them. Their voices belong in these halls, and their leadership is critical to shaping a better future for our communities and for New York State.”

Since 2000, the New York State Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Program has collected data on smoking prevalence, secondhand smoke exposure, and tobacco marketing. In 2000, the adult smoking rate in New York State was 23%. The youth smoking rate for high school students in New York State was 27.1%.

By 2023, adult cigarette smoking declined to 9.3%, and tobacco product use among high school youth dropped to 17.0%, the lowest level since the Department of Health started tracking youth tobacco use in 2000, according to 2024 data from the New York Youth Tobacco Survey (NYYTS). These reductions in adult smoking prevalence, associated with the funding of the New York Tobacco Control Program, have resulted in substantial cost savings and thousands of lives saved.

Despite these historic lows, tobacco use continues to threaten public health. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and in New York State. According to the NYS Department of Health, in New York State:

• Smoking and secondhand smoke kill over 30,000 people each year
• $9.7 billion a year is spent on preventable smoking‐related healthcare expenditures

Continued progress is critical. TFAC Columbia Greene remains committed to reducing tobacco-related illness, disability, and death, and to alleviate the social and economic burden caused by tobacco use in New York State. 

Locally, TFAC Columbia Greene partners with schools and colleges, health departments, and local organizations to prevent youth and young adults from smoking and vaping. Additionally, we educate elected officials, businesses, and multiunit housing owners on policies that reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and tobacco retail marketing.

• Community Education
• Legislative Education
• Technical Assistance
• Youth Programming through Reality Check
• Complimentary smoke- and vape-free signage

Schools, municipalities, housing authorities, and community organizers can contact TFAC’s Community Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Reilly Bluma at [email protected].

If you’re a teen or an adult living in New York State, here are some of the expert-based resources available to you through the New York State Tobacco Control Program:

• For young people ages 13–24, the New York State Quitline offers DROPTHEVAPE, a free, text-based confidential quit service. Visit NYSmokefree.com/Drop-the-Vape.
• Adults looking for support quitting tobacco can find referrals and cessation tools at the New York State Quitline, available in both English and Spanish. The program estimates it will surpass 3 million calls in 2026 and mailed more than 1.2 million kits of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) medications since instituting the practice in 2004.

Call 866-NY-QUITS to get started.

About TFAC Columbia Greene: 

Tobacco Free Action Communities in Columbia & Greene, a program of the American Lung Association, is a network of local agencies and individuals working together to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use and to promote healthy communities. TFAC Columbia Greene serves Columbia and Greene counties in New York State. TFAC is funded by the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control. To learn more visit: https://Tobaccofreenys.org/ and https://www.Lung.org/.