(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2016) Youth from Madison, Morrisville-Eaton and Chittenango Central Schools joined more than 100 other youth and tobacco control program contractors, gathered at the New York State Capitol Feb. 9 to educate lawmakers about the value of New York State (NYS) Tobacco Control Programs (TCP). These programs, many funded by the state, are proven to help prevent youth tobacco use and aid people in quitting, saving lives and millions of state tax dollars. Representatives from BRiDGES and youth are visiting with their lawmakers and participating in events to inform others of the tobacco prevention work they are doing in their communities.
Jordyn Camp, 17, from Morrisville participated in the events of the day as a youth advocate.
“Meeting with our lawmakers is important, without their support and knowledge of our program, we wouldn’t be able to make the progress that we have,” Camp said. “Without their support we would not be able to continue in the fight against tobacco.”
Camp is a Statewide Youth Representative for Reality Check, the youth program in New York against tobacco and tobacco marketing aimed toward youth.
Annual health care costs directly caused by smoking in New York State are $10.39 billion, with the tax burden per household from smoking-caused government expenditures totaling $1,488. There are 28,200 deaths in New York State each year due to smoking, and thousands who are living with illnesses related to tobacco use.
Although the current adult smoking rate is 14.4 percent in New York State, those who make less than $15,000 per year and those who have poor mental health, smoke at much higher rates: (26.8 percent) and (33.7 percent) respectively. In addition to educating the public and creating environments that are supportive of tobacco-free norms, tobacco control advocates partner with health systems across the state to ensure that all patients are screened and treated for tobacco use and dependency.
Sue Casanova from BRiDGES and Advancing Tobacco Free Communities Program Coordinator said,“The CDC recommends that Tobacco Control Programs in New York State are funded at $203 million, yet actual funding for these programs only totals $39 million. The health and economic burdens of tobacco-use could be significantly reduced if these programs were fully funded.”
The NYS Tobacco Control Program is made up of a network of statewide contractors who work on the Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities initiative and Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free New York initiative. The TCP uses a policy-driven, population-based approach designed to prevent youth from smoking and to motivate adult smokers to quit, through Community Engagement, Reality Check and The NYS Smokers’ Quitline. The efforts are leading the way toward a tobacco-free society.
For more information, visit TobaccoFreeNYS.org