SAFE GC Coalition: Great American Smokeout November 16

The Tobacco Action Coalition (TAC) of LI has been a longstanding member of the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition, facilitating the implementation of environmental strategies and prevention education to protect public health. Once again, TAC is partnering with SAFE, the Youth Bureau and School District as a Technical Resource in bringing informative, and interactive programing to teens in during the Great American Smokeout (GASO). TAC’s goals are to reinforce the teens education they receive in the Glen Cove Schools on the dangers of smoking and nicotine addiction and new emerging products while enlightening them to new topics such as the harms of tobacco marketing in their local retailers and imagery in the movies aimed at promoting youth initiation. GASO will be celebrated this year with Glen Cove Middle School Health Education students and students enrolled in the Glen Cove Youth Bureau’s After 3 program.

According to Ms. Meschkow, the tobacco lobby is working ardently to keep one step ahead of the Coalition’s tobacco and vaping prevention education in their fervent efforts to groom the next generation of smokers. Tobacco Control Legislation enacted by the State’s in the form of a Pharmacy Ban has resulted in a drastic decrease in retail tobacco marketing in our youth’s purview and a recent Flavor Ban was also passed by the State to help prevent our youth from being lured into vaping “candy flavored” products. However, the Ban didn’t include combustable menthol which acts as a soothing agent making it easier for our youth to start and harder to quit. It has also been historically marketed focusing on certain underserved populations. Sadly, it is not seen as a flavor by but over 50 percent of our youth smoke or vape menthol. Bringing this to the attention of teen’s is another crucial aspect of the GASO program for this year.

SAFE is the only alcohol and substance abuse prevention, intervention, and education agency in the City of Glen Cove. Its Coalition is concerned about tobacco use, marijuana use and vaping. The Coalition seeks to educate and update the community regarding its negative consequences in collaboration with Carol Meschkow, Manager- Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on ww.facebook.com/safeglencovecoalition or visit the Vaping Facts and Myths Page or Underage Marijuana Use Awareness Campaign pages of SAFE’s website to learn more about how smoking/vaping is detrimental to your health www.safeglencove.org.