Tobacco Stops With Me Commemorates Ten Years of Success by Unveiling Plan to Save Thousands of Oklahoma Lives and Millions of State Dollars
More than 30 organizations partner with TSET to dramatically lower the state’s smoking rate
OKLAHOMA CITY (October 10, 2018) – Today, Tobacco Stops With Me, Oklahoma’s initiative to educate the public on the dangers of secondhand smoke and preventing tobacco use, commemorated 10 years of improving health with a landmark announcement. Together with partners from across the state, including Oklahoma State Medical Association, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and more than 30 other partners, Tobacco Stops With Me announced a new effort to save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in our state.
The 10th Anniversary: Targeting Tobacco Control Policies & Programs for a Tobacco-Free Future initiative outlines the necessary steps Oklahoma should take to lower the adult smoking rate to 10 percent in the next decade. The initiative focuses on creating common sense solutions and modernizing policies to improve the health of all Oklahomans. Policy recommendations include:
- Prohibit smoking in cars with children present
- 100% clean indoor air
- Raise the minimum legal age to buy tobacco products to 21
- Ban on all menthols and flavored tobacco
- Cigarette price increases over the next decade
- Strengthen enforcement against underage tobacco sales
- Remove smokers as a protected class of employees
These policies have been proven to reduce tobacco use and increase the overall health of people in states that have implemented them. Oklahoma deserves a healthier future and the creation of these policies will provide that.
“Tobacco Stops With Me has spent the last 10 years educating Oklahomans about the dangers of secondhand smoke and tobacco use. We’ve seen smoking prevalence reduce by more than 25 percent,” said John Woods, executive director of TSET. “In the next ten years, we’re taking a stand against tobacco in our state and doubling down on an aggressive agenda that will not only cut our smoking by 50 percent, but also protect our most vulnerable Oklahomans – our kids.”
At the same time, TSET will also be investing millions in programs to educate young people on the hazards of tobacco use, increase youth advocacy and educate to end the generational cycle of nicotine addiction. The TSET Board of Directors also approved increased investments in the development of programs in health care systems to focus on Oklahomans that are most adversely impacted by the burden of tobacco. Tobacco Stops With Me has already improved the health of Oklahomans over the last ten years. The smoking rate dropped to 20 percent for the first time in the state’s history and youth smoking was cut in half. Nearly 70 percent of Oklahomans support a statewide smoke-free law. To learn how citizens and organizations can support saving lives and improving Oklahoma’s health by cutting the Oklahoma adult smoking rate in half over the next decade, visit stopswithme.com. If you’re interested in becoming a partner in support of a tobacco-free Oklahoma, contact Julie Bisbee at julieb@tset.ok.gov or 405-521-4992.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Julie Bisbee, Director of Public Information and Outreach
Julieb@tset.ok.gov
Cell: 405-301-3693
Direct: 405-521-4992
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Tobacco Stops With Me is a statewide campaign, funded through the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Trust, that provides an efficient, emotional and highly recognizable tobacco-free message for Oklahomans to rally around. By educating the public about the negative effects and impact of tobacco, the goal of Tobacco Stops With Me is to prevent and reduce tobacco use, and improve the health and quality of life of every Oklahoman. Tobacco Stops With Me aims to inspire individuals to make positive changes—not only for their own health, but for the health of the entire state as well.
The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. TSET. Better Lives Through Better Health.
Partners for a Tobacco-Free Oklahoma – Cutting Smoking in Half in the next 10 years
Alzheimer’s Association
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
American Academy of Pediatrics, Oklahoma Chapter
Avedis Foundation
BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma
Boys and Girls Clubs – Oklahoma Alliance
Breathe the Music: Musicians for Smoke-Free Oklahoma
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Centennial Health
Guiding Right
Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma
Honorable David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City
Honorable Lynne Miller, Mayor of Norman
Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa
Integris
Latino Community Development Association
Pathways to Health
Oklahoma 4-H Foundation
Oklahoma State 4-H
Oklahoma Association of Youth Services
Oklahoma City-County Health Department
Oklahoma Dental Association
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Oklahoma Hospital Association
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma Nurses Association
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oklahoma State Medical Association
Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center at Stephenson Cancer Center
Oklahoma Turning Point
Oklahoma Youth Expo
Southern Plains Tribal Health Board
Stephenson Cancer Center
Tulsa Health Department
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City