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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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| HOOKAH LOUNGES | |
A growing trend, especially in college towns 
Hookahs, or water pipes, are used for smoking specially made tobacco. Hookah smoking involves burning tobacco, passing it through a bowl of water in order to inhale the smoke using a long hose. The tobacco often comes in different flavors such as apple, chocolate, and mint. Hookah smoking is said to have originated in ancient Persia and India. More recently, it has become popular in the US and other countries. Hookah smoking is typically marketed as a social activity with small groups using a hookah in a lounge setting. Hookah smoking is particularly attractive to young adults. Hookah lounges are common in communities with a college or university. Despite evidence to the contrary, hookah smoking is often perceived as less harmful and less addictive than smoking cigarettes. A study of current hookah users published in 2009 found over 58% of users believed hookah smoking was less harmful than cigarette smoking (Aljarrah, K. et al). In fact, a typical hour long hookah smoking session can be the equivalent of inhaling smoke from 100-200 cigarettes. Hookah smoking poses a health risk for developing diseases often associated with cigarette smoking: cancer, lung disease, and heart disease. The mouthpiece of a hookah poses a risk for spreading communicable diseases between users. The amount of nicotine in hookah smoking is enough to lead to addiction. One session can provide the same amount of nicotine found in 2-10 cigarettes. When considering smoke-free indoor workplace laws, it is recommended the definition of smoking include hookah smoking. Want to learn more? View the CDC's fact sheet by clicking here or visit the American Cancer Society's website here. |
| SMOKE-FREE COMMUNITIES | | 
53 and counting!
Congratulations to Kershaw and Estill! On March 18th, the Town of Kershaw in Lancaster County became SC's 52nd smoke-free community. The Town of Estill in Hampton County became the 53rd on April 3rd.
Kershaw's ordinance went into effect immediately. Estill's will be implemented beginning May 1, 2013.
For a list of SC communities that have adopted a smoke-free ordinance, click here.
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| HAPPY PINNING! | | 
SCTFC is now on Pinterest!
What is Pinterest? Pinterest is a lifestyle social media website that allows users to collect, organize and share pictures, videos and information using themed 'boards'. Confusing? Think of a giant collection of bulletin boards created around themes:
Each bulletin board contains 'pins' (pictures) that link to other websites. It's a great way to collect - things, inspirations, and information.
Currently, Pinterest has more than 11 million users. Pinterest is one of the fastest growing websites to date. Already on Pinterest? Follow us here.
The ability to group information around themes makes Pinterest a great way to share information about smoke-free life. Much like Facebook, users can follow people/organizations or specific boards they are interested in. 'Pinners' also search on words to find individual pins, boards, or people connected to that topic.
Visit the SC Tobacco-Free Collaborative's recently launched Pinterest site and you'll find boards on 'Smoking & Cardiovascular Disease, 'Smoking & the Brain', 'Youth Smoking', 'Secondhand Smoke', 'Quit Smoking', 'Smoke-Free Laws', 'Smoking & the Environment', Inside Tobacco', assorted Videos, and much more. We are adding news items and articles to these boards every day.
We hope that as we grow, our followers will find our Pinterest site to be a valuable, daily source of education and inspiration. We also hope that it will become a valuable resource for knowledge sharing amongst our partners.
Hope you'll follow us if you are already on Pinterest. If you aren't, it's free and easy to open an account. Once you have an account, it's easy to take Pinterest with you by downloading the mobile apps for iPhone, iPad or Android.
Please let us know if your organization is on Pinterest. We'd love to follow you!
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| TOBACCO HEADLINES | | 
Recent News
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids releases report: American's Most Wanted Tobacco Villains. Read more.
- The 2013 County Health Rankings were released in March. Learn more.
- New CDC Tips from Former Smokers campaign has launched. Learn more.
- Tobacco-free public housing could save $521 million a year. 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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The S.C. Tobacco-Free Collaborative is a statewide non-profit organization. Have a question about tobacco use, policy or activities in your community? Contact Megan Hicks at megan@smokefreesc.org or 803-251-0130.
Sincerely,
S.C. Tobacco-Free Collaborative
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