9/21/2018. From Ashes to Advocacy: Reversing Indiana s Biggest Health Epidemic Through Advocacy. The Problem in Indiana

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1 From Ashes to Advocacy: Reversing Indiana s Biggest Health Epidemic Through Advocacy MARIA HINES MS, RN, CCRN- INDIANA UNIVERSITY FORT WAYNE DENISE KNEUBUHLER MSN, RN, FNP- IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE The Problem in Indiana (Richard Fairbanks Foundation, 2018) Importance of Smoking to Indiana s Health Status (Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health Indiana University, 2016) 1

2 Toll of Tobacco on Businesses 7.6 billion-annual health care costs, productivity losses and premature death costs from smoking Indiana spends an estimated $15.90 in loss productivity and healthcare costs for every pack of cigarettes sold. $6,200 yearly-costs to a business for each smoker Smoking Prevalence

3 The Solution Raising taxes on cigarettes has been recognized as one of the most effective population-based strategies for decreasing smoking and its adverse health consequences. (Bader, Boisclar, & Ferrence, 2011) The Solution For Indiana The goal in Indiana is to raise the cigarette tax by $ Benefits From Raising the Cigarette Tax For every 10% rise in cigarette taxes the following reductions occur: Adult smoking by about two percent Smoking by young adults about 3.5 percent The number of kids who smoke by six or seven percent Overall cigarette consumption by approximately three to five percent (Boonn, 2017) 3

4 Why Raise the Indiana Cigarette Tax? 70,000 Indiana adults will quit smoking. More than $350 million in revenue will be available for use. Stop 58,000 youth from ever starting smoking Indiana businesses will save money. (Raise it For Health, 2018) Long Range Tobacco Legislation Raise the purchasing age for tobacco products to 21 yrs old Work to change state law to allow local regulation of tobacco sales Increase state funding for tobacco cessation Ways to Advocate for Tobacco Issues Two Advocacy Days by Indiana Tobacco Coalition in Budget year, 2019 Partnership with American Cancer Society Community Action Network & American Heart Association for State Advocacy Days Alliance For a Healthier Indiana (Alliance for a Healthier Indiana, 2018) 4

5 Local Level Advocacy Join your county s Tobacco Free coalition. Advocate for smoke free apartment complexes and smoke free bars in local areas. Encourage use of the Indiana QuitLine and become a preferred provider. Establish relationships with your state senator and representative as well as city council members. Help to develop a youth board for local tobacco coalitions. Write letters to the editor or editorials for local newspapers. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010; Community Tool Box 2017a& 2017b) Stop The Vape: Example of a Local Project Primary Objective: Design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program for influencers of youth about the risks of e-cigarettes Secondary Objective: To add e- cigarettes into the smoke free air policies of two Allen County school board policies. 1o1_500.gif E-cigarettes-Most commonly used tobacco product among Hoosier youth and youth nationwide (Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission, 2017) 5

6 9/21/2018 Who Did We Reach? n/ Educational presentation to 201 participants from 13 community agencies that work with youth, such as the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, PTA, & school nurses in Allen County 171 participants completed a pre and post test on the risks and benefits of ecigarettes What We Found 29 out of 30 questions showed a statistically significant change in perceived benefits and risks. Key results: Participants understood Vapor from e-cigarettes does contain toxins. E-cigarettes are not safe. E-cigarettes can be a gateway for youth to smoke regular cigarettes. E-liquids can contain nicotine even if it is not listed on the label. Children and pets can be sickened if they touch or ingest e-liquid. Inhaling the chemicals found in e-cigarettes can cause harm to the lungs. Lithium batteries can overheat and cause injuries. Implications for Practice Increased collaboration between community groups and Tobacco Free Allen County. Opened avenues to give presentation to youth in the future. Influenced policy change for two school districts. 6

7 Local Advocacy Work /CounterTobacco/videos/ / Advocacy-What We Learned? Speak in terms of the other person s interests. Make relationships with lawmakers for the long haul. Do your homework. Take a partner with you who knows information you don t know Be passionate, but don t lose your cool. Never underestimate the power of one. Together We Can Make Indiana Healthier One man awake with dawn in his eyes, multiplies (Lawrence Tribble) 7

8 Websites For Tobacco Issues and Advocacy Indiana Tobacco Prevention & Cessation: Counter Tobacco: Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids: Alliance For Healthier Indiana: Stanford Medicine: Tobacco Prevention Tool Kit: Still Blowing Smoke: Truth Initiative: Center for Disease Control & Prevention: Community Tool Box: Public Health Law Center: Public Health & Tobacco Policy Center: References 8

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