Tobacco Prevention Video Contest

Click below for details about a video contest for youth groups announced by the Surgeon General.

Young people are encouraged to create a Public Service Announcement of sorts - the contest theme is “Tobacco, I’m not buying it.”

Deadline for entries is April 20. Finalists get $1,000; top video gets
$5,000.

www.facebook.com/cdctobaccofree?sk=app_347644345262215

New Report of the Surgeon General

U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, issued a new report today entitled Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults.

During her press conference this morning, she even gave a shout out to Virginia Youth Advocates who have worked on tobacco use prevention initiatives - way to go Y Street!

Smoking continues to be the single most preventable cause of death in the U.S. and the report outlines the toll that tobacco is still taking every day. There is new information on young adult smokers who unfortunately smoke at rates higher than any other age group (33%) and it discusses the scientifically proven dose-response relationship between tobacco marketing/ promotions and youth tobacco use.

Visit www.surgeongeneral.gov to view the report and additional resources can be found at the Office of Smoking or Health www.cdc.gov/tobacco.

Now is the time to issue those press releases and shout it from the mountaintops - tobacco use prevention is CRITICAL to our public's health!

Happy Great American Spit Out!

Did you know this week included a holiday other than President's Day? It's National Through With Chew Week and the Great American Spit Out!

If you need spit tobacco resources or want to promote an end to smokeless tobacco use take a look at this site developed in Wyoming. http://www.throughwithchew.com/twcweek.aspx
If you are a current tobacco grantee, I will also forward you an email from the Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California (TECC), a project funded by the California Tobacco Control Program who has compiled a wonderful “Top 10” list of resources on smokeless tobacco products.

It has great fact sheets and research articles, including information on new, dissolvable tobacco products. This email will include links to other helpful sites, slide presentations and video content that's available on YouTube.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Do you know a school health champion in your community who has interest in improving school nutrition or integrating fun, new ways of keeping kids physically active?

Would you like to help your local pediatricians, primary care docs or registered dietitians learn about the Healthier Generation Benefit - which can provide eligible children with four follow up visits with his or her primary care provider and four visits with a registered dietitian per year for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity?

Do you work with after-school programs or parenting groups?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, check out the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's website: http://www.healthiergeneration.org/ They have great resources for schools, community groups, clinicians and families who want to improve the health of THIS generation of kids so that America will be healthier tomorrow.