SPRING 2024

TFM Legislative Update

In the FY25 state budget process, the House put MTCP into the language of the line item but did not earmark a specific funding level for MTCP.  Representative Gregoire filed an amendment to earmark funds for MTCP but the amendment was not adopted. In addition, Representative Decker filed an amendment to close the synthetic nicotine tax loophole. While the amendment was not adopted it allowed for a continued conversation on the emerging issue.  

The budget has moved to the Senate which is debating their proposal this week. The original Senate Ways and Means budget proposed to fund MTCP at a little over 6.2 million. This is just over $15,000 more than the current fiscal year. Senator Keenan filed an amendment to increase that earmark to a little over 6.7 million, a $500,000 increase from the current fiscal year however, the amendment was not adopted. 

Bills of interest to Tobacco Free Mass, an act providing Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation programs (H.1169/S.768) and an act protecting youth from nicotine addiction (H.2763/S.1848) were both put to study.

News you can use

  • Maureen Buzby, with the Regional Tobacco Prevention Program, shared that on May 24th, the city of Malden unanimously passed the “nicotine free generation” board of health regulation, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes to individuals born after January 1, 2004. Malden now joins Stoneham, Wakefield, Melrose, and Winchester in implementing this initiative along with Brookline.

  • An April 23rd Boston Globe article discussing Brookline's nicotine free generation bylaw suggests that there is momentum moving forward.

  • "The Tobacco Endgame Begins" written by Howard C. Koh and Michael K. Fiore was published in Health Affairs on May 7th. The article concludes by stating, "After more than a century of devastation, the dawn of the tobacco endgame has finally arrived. While Massachusetts represents the epicenter of this historic change toward a new normal, all of society can take notice and take action. Now is the time for leaders in the US and indeed around the world to dare to envision the end of the tobacco epidemic once and for all."

  • The United Kingdom is pushing ahead with a 'Smoke-Free Generation' tobacco law. On April 16th, the UK parliamentarians voted for a progressive ban on tobacco products which would make it illegal to ever sell cigarettes to people born after January 1, 2009. 

  • The Massachusetts Medical Society recently published the following article, "Nicotine Pouches: A New Nicotine Product is Rising in Popularity". The tobacco industry continues to shape-shift for American consumers with the rise in sales of oral “tobacco-free” nicotine pouches. Nicotine pouches are currently the fourth most used type of tobacco device, behind e-cigarettes, cigars, and cigarettes, according to the 2023 Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  • Documents show NYU professors who defended vaping didn’t disclose ties to Juul. In the midst of the youth vaping crisis, two prominent experts defended vaping as an effective smoking-cessation strategy, even before Congress. But a STAT investigation found that both failed to disclose extensive involvement with vape manufacturer Juul, including coordinating on public talking points, participating in scientific advisory board meetings, and dining with executives. 

  • This past March marked a victory for public health when a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit unanimously upheld the graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and advertising as required under a 2020 FDA rule.

  • A name change doesn't change the facts. The Philip Morris International-funded Foundation for a Smoke-Free World is changing its name to Global Action to End Smoking. 

Menthol and Flavored Products

  • The National Medical Association (NMA) statement on the Biden Administration delaying proposed menthol cigarettes ban. "We are disappointed with the action of the Biden Administration. We will continue to have Black children targeted for addiction and the health and lives of our patients ruined as long as the Administration delays a total ban on menthol."

  • A press release from ACS CAN says the White House must act to reduce tobacco-related cancer disparities and meet the cancer moonshot goals.  With 30% of all cancer deaths due to smoking, it is hard to imagine how the president can meet the goals of the Cancer Moonshot without meaningfully addressing tobacco use.

  • On a positive note, the Oregon Court of Appeals upholds Washington County law ending flavored tobacco sales including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.

Upcoming

  • TFM is accepting nominations for the Blake Cady Award. The Blake Cady Award for Leadership in Tobacco Control is Tobacco Free Mass’ highest honor. It is given annually to an individual who has contributed greatly to the tobacco control movement in Massachusetts. Our honorees have dedication, passion, and a willingness to find a way to make the impossible possible – qualities that enabled Dr. Blake Cady to revolutionize tobacco control in Massachusetts. His legacy continues through the work of all of our members. Nominate someone today!
  • May 31st is World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). World No Tobacco Day 2024 will give a platform to young people across the world, who are urging governments to shield them from predatory tobacco marketing tactics. The industry targets youth for a lifetime of profits, creating a new wave of addiction. Children are using e-cigarettes at rates higher than adults in all regions and globally an estimated 37 million youth aged 13–15 years use tobacco.
  • The Tobacco Online Policy Seminar (TOPS) 2024 Spring Series Schedule offers free access to live seminars on tobacco policy from respected researchers. View schedule and registration here.

Congratulations

The youth of the 84 Movement led the way on April 2nd for Kick Butts Day (KBD) held at the State House in Boston. The event generated great press, check it out. This year brought out Dr. Robbie Goldstein, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, Representative Danielle Gregoire, 143 youth and SLT, 44 adults, 33 volunteers, and 32 chapters. Thank you to the TFM members who volunteered their time to support the youth and accompany them on their legislative visits. 

Dr. Henry L. Dorkin, Vice Chair for Tobacco Free Mass received the Distinguished Service Award from the Massachusetts Medical Society on May 10th. He concluded his acceptance speech with, "Now, I hate to do this today, but I do have to warn my younger colleagues, that retirement is a myth. Yes, the paycheck stops, but the Houses of Delegates, both MMS and AMA do not, nor do state and national committees, volunteer organizations, etc. No time limits there. Your friends do look out for you, however. In 2022 I received a call from a couple former Presidents of the MMS who said, “you know, now that you have more time, we nominated you to be vice-chair of Tobacco Free Massachusetts – and guess what, you won! You will be Vice Chair for 2 years and then Chair for 2 years after that. No need to thank us...”

Tobacco Free Mass Meetings and Membership

The link to the meeting summary from the March Quarterly full Coalition Meeting.

Quarterly full Coalition meeting, June 6th 10 AM-11:30 AM on ZOOM.

Membership renewals have gone out to all TFM members. Contact TFM if you did not receive a renewal. Please renew your membership today!

Thank you for your continued support!

Lisa

Lisa Phillips

Tobacco Coalition Director

m: (617) 795-4129

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