|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“Good progress has been made in tobacco control in recent years, but there is no time for complacency. I’m astounded at the depths the tobacco industry will go to pursue profits at the expense of countless lives. We see that the minute a government thinks they have won the fight against tobacco the tobacco industry seizes the opportunity to manipulate health policies and sell their deadly products,"
- Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of WHO Department of Health Promotion, January 16, 2024
February 7, 2024, was the Joint Rule 10 deadline. This is the last day for reports to be made from joint committees, except Health Care Financing, and thousands of bills were on the move. Some of the good and the bad are listed below. The good list included closing loopholes on taxes and for MassHealth tobacco cessation coverage.
TFM Priority Bills:
- An act providing Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation programs. H1169/S768 (Barber/Lewis) has been referred to the Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing and has another month to leave that committee.
- An Act protecting youth from nicotine addiction H2763/S1848 (Decker/Keenan) was sent to study. However, this issue is still in play - working to update the definition of tobacco products/smokeless tobacco and capture nicotine products, like nicotine pouches to close the tax loophole. Discussions will continue.
Other bills of note:
- An Act relative to tobacco harm reduction, to exempt “modified risk products” from the flavor ban law (H2141/S1345) - was sent to study.
- An Act to repeal the state menthol ban (S1364) - was sent to study.
- An Act relative to small businesses and the sale of certain cultural products, "hookah exemption" from the flavor ban law (S205) was reported favorably out of committee. Will keep an eye on this bill.
|
|
|
|
|
News you can use
- The recently released 22nd annual American Lung Association "State of Tobacco Control" report evaluates states and the federal government on the proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies necessary to save lives. This year's report highlights the failure of the Biden administration to finalize rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The Lung Association is extremely disappointed with the delay in enacting these life-saving rules.
- A February 15th article in STAT reveals Juul’s internal playbook and opens a rare window into influence in Washington.
- According to a February 9th CNN article, Zyn nicotine pouches are "flying off the shelves" as Big Tobacco shifts their focus away from cigarettes to smokeless alternatives.
- On January 18th advocates, civil rights leaders and medical professionals joined the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council's (AATCLC) "Menthol Funeral" in Washington, DC to call on the White House to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Watch the event here.
- The rate of e-cigarette use increased more than fivefold among adolescents in late pregnancy from 2016 to 2021, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. December 13, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Thursday, March 7th – Full Coalition meeting from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on Zoom. To attend the meeting, you must register, just click this link.
Thursday, March 28th - Tobacco Free Mass Open House, online at 12:30 PM. Click to download the flyer and share with colleagues and/or partner agencies about how they can become a member of the coalition that advocates for tobacco prevention and control policies, learn more about our mission and meet other members.
Tuesday, April 2nd - 2024 Kick Butts Day (KBD). On Tuesday, April 2nd we look forward to seeing the youth of Massachusetts at the State House for a Youth Day of Action. Join youth from the 84 Movement and community leaders to learn about the influence of the tobacco and vaping industries in their communities. Hear directly from youth and what they care about most, what they are doing about it, and how you can help. Save the date. |
|
|
|
|
Only 30 days until Spring!
Lisa
Lisa Phillips
Tobacco Coalition Director
m: (617) 795-4129
Help us to Spread the Word!
Follow us on social media:
|
This message was sent to you by Tobacco Free Mass. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, unsubscribe by emailing Lisa Phillips. |
|
|
|
