Greetings!
We are pleased to share the latest issue of the Tobacco-Free Tribune, a newsletter from the S.C. Tobacco-Free Collaborative. Please feel free to share this newsletter with colleagues and friends using the Forward to a Friend button or emailing a link to our Archives.
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| NATIONAL SPEAKER VISITS ROCK HILL | |
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Gruen Von Behrens shares his story about
smokeless tobacco use
On the baseball fields of the Midwest, Gruen began using smokeless tobacco at the age of 13. By the time he was 17, he had developed oral cancer. Since his diagnosis, Gruen has undergone 34 surgeries and numerous treatments.
Gruen is now a spokesperson for Oral Health America's National Spit Tobacco Education Program. He travels around the country to share his story and highlight the importance of being tobacco-free. Through the Healthy South Carolina Initiative and York County All on Board, Gruen traveled to Winthrop University in Rock Hill on March 5th to speak with students. Gruen's message was particularly important as York County advocates are working to educate area school districts and universities on the dangers of and trends in tobacco use and the benefits of 100% tobacco-free campuses.
To read local coverage of the event, click here. To learn more about Oral Health America's National Spit Tobacco Education Program, click here. Want to learn more about York County All on Board? Click here.
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| USC FORUM | |
Forum held at University of South Carolina to discuss a tobacco-free campus
A forum, co-sponsored by Student Government and Healthy Carolina, was held on February 18th to allow students to discuss the possibility of a tobacco-free campus. A physician and representatives from Campus Wellness, Healthy Carolina, and USC's Division of Law Enforcement and Safety served on a panel at the event. The panel members addressed questions and concerns from audience members regarding potential policy changes and enforcement. Currently, USC prohibits smoking within 25 feet of an entrance and outdoor eating areas. The university is considering additional protections through adoption of a tobacco-free campus policy. When they become tobacco-free, they will join eleven other SC colleges that have already done so.
For more information, visit the Tobacco Free USC website by clicking here.
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| NEW TIPS FROM FORMER SMOKERS CAMPAIGN | |
New CDC campaign launches in April
Following the success of last year's Tips from Former Smokers campaign, the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health will launch new ads this spring. The campaign features the powerful stories of people whose health was impacted by smoking before they became smoke-free. The first campaign also included messages on the negative affects of secondhand smoke exposure. Nationally, the first campaign resulted in over 207,000 additional calls to the Quitline.
To view materials for the current campaign, click here.
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| KICKS BUTTS DAY | |
Take Action on March 20th!
Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism, empowers youth to speak up against Big Tobacco's influence. Kick Butts Day is organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and sponsored by the United Health Foundation. This year's event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20th. Click here to find out if an event is scheduled in your community. Want to engage youth by holding an event in your community? Click here to search the Activities Database for ideas.
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| TOBACCO HEADLINES | |
Recent News
- Charleston's Smoke-Free Medical District is in effect. Read more.
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids releases report on cigars. Read more.
- Study shows decrease in pre-term births due to smoke-free laws. Read more.
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| ARE YOU A MEMBER? | |
Become a Member of SCTFC!
Your tax deductible membership will help fund our work to reduce the toll of tobacco use in South Carolina. Click the image on the right to join.
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