PPAC Central

Jayden Marshall of Fillmore Central School joined more than fifty youth and advocates from 9 national organizations to rally at Altria Group, Inc.’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. These young people and adults held a demonstration outside Altria’s Lobbyist Office, Washington, D.C. office, while several youth activists were designees to directly address Altria’s CEO Billy Gifford and ask questions during the virtual shareholders’ meeting. Altria’s messaging and the movement of youth to using vaping and nicotine pouches, helped create the theme of this year’s Mobilize Against Tobacco Lies event which was “Same Snake, Different Skin” referencing that the tobacco industry might be promoting alternative products to traditional cigarettes, but all these products contain nicotine, many higher than cigarettes and come in appealing flavors to youth.

This year marks the ninth consecutive year that Mobilize Against Tobacco Lies (MATL), a collaborative of youth programs and national partners, gathered to expose and fight back against the tobacco giant’s lies.

Reality Check youth from across New York State rallied with a collaborative of tobacco control youth programs including Dover Youth to Youth of New Hampshire, Traditional Tobacco Voices in Minnesota, and national partners; Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Indian Cancer Foundation, Corporate Accountability, Counter Tools, Center for Black Health and Equity, and the Truth Initiative.

Altria and its Philip Morris USA subsidiary sell the number one most popular cigarette brand among kids, Marlboro, and its John Middleton subsidiary sells one of the most popular cigar brands among kids, Black and Mild, US Smokeless Tobacco subsidiary sells the top two smokeless tobacco brands Copenhagen and Skoal. Altria has a long history of targeting vulnerable populations with its products and invested in Juul at the height of the youth e-cigarette epidemic. Altria in 2023 sold its percentage of ownership in JUUL as it’s popularity has fallen and has failed to get Food and Drug Administration approval and purchased NJOY Holdings, Inc. Altria claims to be “moving beyond smoking,” but the truth is that they make most of their revenue from cigarettes and fight real efforts to reduce smoking – such as bans on menthol cigarettes. Altria and the other big tobacco companies quote youth smoking rates are at all-time lows, but youth consumption of nicotine has not declined as they have moved to as Altria claims “potentially less harmful products”, such as vaping and nicotine pouches.

Despite Altria and the tobacco industry’s efforts, the United States has made great progress to reduce youth smoking. However, the latest government survey shows that 2.8 million U.S middle and high school students still use tobacco products, including 2.13 million who use e-cigarettes.

Reality Check is a teen-led, adult-run program that seeks to prevent and decrease tobacco use among young people throughout New York State. 

For more information about Reality Check, visit realitycheckofny.org.

Reality Check New York empowers youth to become leaders in their community in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education. Reality Check in this area is affiliated with Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany (TF-CCA), a program of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The NYS Tobacco Control Program is made up of a network of statewide contractors who work on Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities, which includes Community Engagement and Reality Check, the Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free New York, the NYS Smokers’ Quitline and Surveillance and Research. Their efforts are leading the way toward a tobacco-free society. For more information, visit TobaccoFreeNYS.org.

May is National Teen Self Esteem Month, a campaign aimed at creating awareness of our teenagers’ confidence and well being. Teenagers are growing up in probably the most difficult period in living memory. Self-harm, mental health problems and eating disorders are rife, and social media is a problem-riddled jungle.

Why is self esteem such a problem for teens?

On top of the physical, hormonal and mental changes going on for teens, they must also contend with increased educational expectations and navigate changing social dynamics. Social media and the web portray unrealistic standards for teens to aspire to. Body image problems are widespread amongst youth, and many feel under great pressure. Teenagers are often fragile and seemingly small bumps to their self esteem can often cause great damage.

Some helpful things to do:

Be kind to yourself.

• Get to know yourself. What makes you happy and what do you value in life?
• Challenge unkind thoughts about yourself. …
• Say positive things to yourself. …
• Give yourself a pep talk
• Avoid comparing yourself to others. …
• Do something nice for yourself

Establish and maintain boundaries.

• Practice saying “no”
• Reflect on the reasons for your boundaries. …
• Start with a few boundaries. …
• Consider setting boundaries early on. …
• Try to be consistent with your boundaries. …
• Carve out time for yourself. …
• Don’t be afraid to include extra boundaries. …
• Set healthy boundaries on social media.

Practice relaxation strategies.

• Take a bath
• Make some art work or take an art class
• Deep breathing
• Massage
• Meditation
• Tai chi
• Yoga
• Music and art therapy
• Aromatherapy

Get regular physical activity.

• Exercise at the YMCA
• Join a summer sport
• Brisk walking or jogging
• Dancing
• Swimming
• Biking.

Resources

Genesee Valley Greenway

Just Tell One’s Teen Chat Line

One Caring Adult

Outdoor Activities around Wellsville

Palmer Opera House has Yoga on Wednesdays.

Wellsville YMCA

Western New York Wilds

This past Saturday, April 27 the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. (ACASA), the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, Andover and Wellsville Volunteer Fire Departments, and Partners for Prevention in Allegany County (PPAC) held their biannual pill drop event in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Take Back Day. Community members brought over 73 pounds of unwanted or unused medications and needles they wanted to dispose of properly. The agencies use the pill drops to educate the community on the fourteen Take It to the Box locations that are throughout Allegany County, that can be used to dispose of medications year-round for free. The partners also educated about the availability to dispose of needles at any of the Allegany County transfer stations for free. Community members are asked to put needles into a puncture proof container like a laundry detergent bottle with the cap securely on. Allegany County is one of the very few counties in New York that offers this service for free.

Andover and Wellsville were chosen to be the Spring pill drop locations to help educate about the Take It to the Box location at Jones Memorial Medical Practice, 20 Main Street in Andover and the three locations in Wellsville at Fisher’s Pharmacy, 138 North Main Street, Jones Memorial Hospital, 191 North Main Street, and the Wellsville Police Department, 46 South Main Street. “The purpose of holding the pill drops is to offer community members the opportunity to dispose of their medications safely, but also educate them about other resources available to them,” states PPAC Coalition Coordinator Jon Chaffee. “It is important for people to not hold onto medications that they are no longer using as studies have shown that youth and adults who abuse medications usually get them from friends or family members without their knowledge,” states Chaffee.

This year 20 cars came to the two locations to drop off medications and needles. Even though the pill drop events do not collect as much medication as in the past the Take It to the Box locations collected over 1,600 pounds in 2023. Each person who dropped medications off received a reusable grocery bag and Take It to the Box magnet. All medications that are collected are taken to an incinerating location by the Sheriff’s Office to make the medications harmless to the environment and useless to people.

The next pill drop event will be held in October of 2024. To find out where all the Take It to the Box locations are located throughout Allegany County visit www.ppaccentral.org/takeittothebox/. If you want to know more information about the National Take Back Day or find other locations you can visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday. For questions people can also reach out to Coalition Coordinator Jonathan Chaffee by emailing ppac@alleganycouncil.org or calling (585) 593 – 1920.

Remember Prevention Works!

This April marks the 38^th Annual Alcohol Awareness Month, sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) since 1987.  Alcohol-Free Weekend has traditionally been observed the first weekend in April, which is April 5-7.  This is a time when parents and other adults are asked to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages for 72 hours to show our youth that alcohol isn’t necessary to have a good time.  If participants discover they cannot go without a drink during this period, they are urged to call the Allegany Council’s outpatient clinic at 585-593-6738 for signs and symptoms of a possible alcohol use disorder. (Anyone unaware of Alcohol-Free Weekend is encouraged to designate the following weekend and apply the above suggestion.)

No other substance is more widely used and abused by America’s youth than alcohol, making alcoholism and alcohol-related problems the number one public health problem in the United States.

Many youth drink because of social pressure to “fit in” with their peers, while others may drink alone because they are bored or depressed.  This puts them at greater risk for developing alcohol-related problems.  Drinking is also associated with the leading causes of death among young people, including car crashes, murder, and suicide.  Even though teenagers know that people should not drink and drive, almost a third of teens will accept rides from someone who has been drinking.

According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), those who regularly engage in underage drinking are at a higher risk of using other drugs, engaging in risky behavior, doing poorly in school, and having serious health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

Research has shown that one of the biggest protective factors in reducing the likelihood that a child will develop a substance abuse problem is strong parental disapproval of alcohol and other drug use.  Fostering healthy and responsible attitudes, talking openly and honestly, encouraging supportive relationships, and showing children that their opinions and decisions matter, are all ways to help prevent the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Since 2012, Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc., has partnered with local businesses for “Sticker Shock,” a campaign in which red and white stickers in the shape of a stop sign are placed on multipacks of beer and other alcoholic beverages.  The message on the stickers states that “It is illegal for any person 21 or older to purchase or provide alcohol to minors.  Fines are up to $1,000.00 or 1 year in jail.”  Thanks to Cuba Giant and Cuba Police Department for supporting this campaign during Alcohol Awareness Month for the past several years.

According to a New York State survey, over half the students in grades 7-12 reported that their parents had never talked to them about the dangers of underage drinking.  According to the 2023 Risk and Protective Factor Survey, administered to 6^th, 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th graders in Allegany County, 85% of students do NOT use alcohol!  Let’s continue to help keep kids safe from alcohol and other substances by starting the conversation.  For tips on how to do this, visit Talk2Prevent.NY.gov and talkitover.org.  For additional information and resources, visit PPAC Central. 

Let this be your call to action, and remember, PREVENTION WORKS!

In honor of Gambling Disorder Screening Day (March 12th, 2024) and Problem Gambling Awareness Month, the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) is announcing the availability of a free, confidential, online self-screening tool for individuals who want to explore their risk for problem gambling. The tool guides individuals through a set of questions to help them examine their gambling behaviors and the possible consequences of their gambling activity. Individuals who complete the questionnaire receive individualized feedback and resources based on their answers and experiences.  

While it’s true that most individuals who gamble do so solely for entertainment and do not experience problems caused by their gambling, all gambling inherently involves risk. This risk is not only present in the activity of gambling, but also in the risk of causing negative consequences to their lives and the lives of those around them. For these individuals and families, gambling can have devastating effects on their lives. Effects can range from depression and anxiety or financial issues all the way to damaged family relationships and even loss of employment. 

Just as there are varying levels of gambling activity and negative consequences, there are also varying levels of motivation and awareness about our gambling activity and the risk involved. While some people are ready to reach out directly for assistance, support and resources, others may be just starting to think about how their gambling is affecting their life. Others may only be curious about their (or a loved one’s) gambling activity and the possible risk that they have.   

In an effort to reach all individuals in New York State, those who are ready for assistance and those who are simply curious about how their gambling may put them at risk for future problems, NYCPG and the Western PGRC have a variety of resources available. As mentioned, the newest of these resources is the confidential, online self-screening tool. No personal information is needed to utilize this valuable, user friendly resource. This free tool is available at NYProblemGamblingHELP.org/e-Screener/. 

For more information about National Gambling Disorder Screening Day in NYS, Problem Gambling Awareness Month or free tools to use in your community visit: NYProblemGambling.org/PGAM/.  

The New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) is a not-for-profit independent corporation dedicated to increasing public awareness about problem and compulsive gambling and advocating for support services and treatment for persons adversely affected by problem gambling. NYProblemGambling.org. 

If you need support related to gambling, please visit: NYProblemGamblingHelp.org to connect with resources in your community.  

Jeffrey Wierzbicki – jwierzbicki@nycpg.org (Confidential) or call 716-833-4274 (Confidential) 

The week of February 12^th marks the Children of Addiction Awareness week, recognized in the USA, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Great Britain. This campaign, led by The National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA), is intended to break the silence around children affected by parental addiction and offer them a chance to become children of promise.  According to information from NACoA’s Website, one in four children lives in a family impacted by parental addiction, and these children are the most vulnerable population to develop addiction at some point in their lives. 

“One of the Lucky Ones” by Heather Gill

When I heard the phrase “Children of Addiction” I knew it was time to open up and share a little bit about my story, as a child of addiction. The timing seemed perfect, I happen to be turning 33 next week, and that is a huge milestone for me. I have officially lived longer than my Daddy. I am heading into my 21^st year without him, and I have finally reached a point where my memories of him are no longer accompanied by sadness.

I didn’t lose my Daddy to addiction, instead I had to compete with his addiction while I had him. Our relationship was complex and incredibly simple at the same time. I loved my Daddy with my whole heart and I rarely questioned forgiving him. He could leave and come back as he pleased as far as I was concerned as long as I got to see him eventually.  My grandparents filled the role he was supposed to be playing for me and my little brother, and they loved both of our mother’s. Everyone around me made it possible for me to love my Dad with my whole heart, while surviving without him.

Somewhere around eight years old, he started to become more consistent, and even started to take some positive steps forward. But the truth is, he ran out of time to get it right. In the spring of 2003, at 32 years old, with a 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son, he was diagnosed with cancer. We had one last Father’s Day with Hospice, and he passed away the next morning. 

The weekend my parents had planned to tell me that he had cancer, was the first time in my entire life that I was truly angry with my Dad. I was 12 years old, navigating being a preteen, friendships, school and sports. There was an all-night skate that weekend, and I could not understand why I was being forced to go see my Dad, when he got to pick and choose when he was a Dad. When we got to his house, and sat down at a plastic picnic table outside, they laid it out for me – Dad has cancer. This translated to “Daddy is leaving again, and this time he won’t be coming back.”  I spent the entire month I had left with him fighting a silent rage, that I spent years hating myself for.

His death was of course a trauma in itself, but his life left me with questions about him and myself that no one could answer for me. His inability to put fatherhood above his need to be intoxicated destroyed myself worth. By 13 I had tried my first cigarette and had self-harmed more than once, both becoming habits I struggled with well into adulthood. I started to look for him in any and all male relationships in my life. I sought out those who were struggling with trauma or substance use, and I tried desperately to save them. This need to save others from his fate, put me in toxic and abusive situations, and further eroded what little self-love I had managed to hold onto. I was angry, self-destructive, and unbelievably heartbroken for 20 years. I couldn’t heal, even with years of therapy, and hard work, I could not come to terms with the life his addiction set me and my brother up for.

When he was alive, and able to be in my life, we bonded over music. Garth Brooks and Guns’n’Roses played in the background of nearly every moment together. While we spent Friday nights signing on a barbie karaoke machine. I am beyond grateful for his choice in music, and as I listen to it today, I think he knew eventually his life choices would kill him. As I grew up and found myself to truly be my Father’s Daughter, all I had was lyrics to help me understand him, and myself. He played “If Tomorrow Never Comes” until it was burned into my brain. The last time I got to lay in the recliner with my Daddy, he quietly sang “Don’t Cry” by Guns’n’Roses. I think he truly believed that I would be okay without him.

The truth is, I am okay now. The rest of my family stepped in to do his job, and support me the best they could. My Mother, a no-nonsense woman with high standards, was the barrier between experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and becoming consumed by them. I had guardrails in place that allowed me to rebuild my life as I healed. I’m not sure if he realized how blessed he was to have people in our lives that we did. People that were willing to take on his responsibilities, while attempting to heal wounds they didn’t create. I survived in spite of him. I survived when so many others did not.

I finally felt healed last year. I had to work incredibly hard to unlearn the negative self-beliefs and habits. It took years of therapy, medical help, and one incredibly patient husband to get here. I covered my scars with memorial tattoos, and I started to tell my story. I eventually was able to recognize the Neurodivergent traits in myself, my father and my brother, allowing me to see the potential outcomes for my own children before they had a chance to manifest as addiction. I am breaking cycles, I am healing generational trauma. It is still a struggle everyday though; despair and self-hate lurk around every corner waiting for me to slip and let them back in. I will carry the echoes of his addiction with me for the rest of my life.

As I healed, I learned that it is okay to hold onto my desire to help others live a better life. I have learned how to give support without compromising myself or my safety. I volunteer my time Coaching Youth Cheerleading, and sitting at tables where my story can create change for future generations. I became a Peer Support provider for parents who have children that struggle with mental health. I turned the pain and the trauma into a fuel for a life of service that I can be proud of, but I never allow myself to forget the cost of getting here. My success came in spite of unnecessary hardship, not because of it. My Strength came from connection to people who loved me with their actions as much as their words, not from love I was missing. My Father’s life and Death did not make me who I am today, I made myself who I am in spite of it all.

Recovery is unbelievably hard, but it is possible, and more than that it is worth it. For every story like mine, that ends in success, there is someone else who never made it through. The only way you can ensure that your addiction does not plague your children’s lives is to choose to get healthy and be accountable. If you would die for your children, choose to live for them too.

Neighbors need to know that children nearby may live in hidden chaos caused by parental drinking and other drug use, and that one truly caring adult may be able to help them separate the disease of addiction from the parent they love. COAs often learn special rules and roles, which include attempting to protect the family image, keeping feelings to themselves, not trusting others, assuming parental responsibilities, excelling at school, trying to make others feel better, adapting to situations in a detached fashion, or using negative behavior to attract attention.  In general, COAs have higher rates of stress-related illnesses and conditions, including ulcers, depression, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, tension, anxiety, and eating disorders.  The positive news is that help is available, and COAs can be helped even when their parent continues to drink or use other substances.  Treatment court judges can initiate change within the family unit by addressing the needs of the children.  Understanding who a “safe person” is and which adults can be trusted is crucial, including within the school setting.  As the impact of the pandemic has increased the impact of alcohol and opioid use in this country over the last few years, it is even more important that the non-using parent and other sincere adults seek assistance and support when discussing a parent’s addiction with a child.     

The Seven C’s

Can also help children cope with their circumstances by reminding them that:

• They didn’t CAUSE the addiction.
• They can’t CONTROL it.
• They can’t CURE it.

However, they can:

• Take care of themselves by COMMUNICATING their feelings.
• Make good CHOICES.
• CELEBRATING who they are.

For more information and resources visit NACoA and COA Awareness Week. You can make a positive difference in a child’s life! If you are struggling with substance use and want to find out about local resources for help visit ACASA.

Special “Thanks” to Heather Gill for sharing her story.

Dating abuse is a dangerous pattern of behavior that can affect people of all genders, backgrounds, races, and ages-even teens! These dangerous patterns of behaviors, or abuse, allow one partner to hold power and control over the other. This power and control may be maintained through tactics like emotional or physical abuse, controlling behaviors, threats, and other ways. This power and control wheel is a simple example of the different ways abusers maintain power and control:

For a more in depth look at the teen dating violence power and control wheel, scan the QR code using your phone:

1 IN 3 TEENS WILL EXPERIENCE DATING VIOLENCE BEFORE THEY ARE ADULTS.

Some signs of an abusive relationship might be:

• Isolating from friends or favorite activities because of your partner.
• Being scared of your partner.
• Your partner making comments that bring down your self-esteem.
• Not taking your concerns or feelings seriously.
• Your partner sabotaging you by spreading rumors or interfering with class work.
• Cheating or being deceitful in other way.

By knowing these signs and spreading awareness about teen dating violence, we hope to prevent abusive behaviors and relationships!

The Theme for 2024’s TDVAM is “Love like That”

Everyone deserves to be in a healthy relationship! By spreading this message to teens, we hope to prevent abusive behaviors and relationships. Some signs of healthy relationships are:

• Feeling safe and comfortable with your partner.
• Expressing your feelings to your partner without being judged.
• Being supported by your partner.
• Having trust in one another.
• Being honest and openly communicating with one another.
• And much more!

Can you think of other things that would make you feel safe and supported in a relationship? These are the things we should be looking for in a potential partner.

Teen Dating Violence Month’s Day of Action

On February 6^th, 2024 wear ORANGE!

This is a simple way to raise awareness, start a meaningful conversation, and show your support to survivors of teen dating violence.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, there are resources available to help!

ACCORD, 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-593-5322.

Connecting Communities in Action (CCA), 24 Hour Rape Crisis Hotline, 888-945-3970.

Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center (CAC), 716-372-8532

For more information or to find trainings about Teen Dating Violence Prevention, visit https://crcncc.org/blog/teen-dating-violence-awareness-month-2024/ .

January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month, with “Every Journey Matters” as this year’s theme. Every 4.5 minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States.  Leading prenatal health experts from the National Birth Defects Prevention Network, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, March of Dimes, Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, and MotherToBaby have partnered to increase awareness to reduce the chances of babies born with birth defects.  One critical area is that of avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.  When mommy uses, so does baby.  There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.  A developing baby is exposed to the same concentration of alcohol as the mother during pregnancy, which can result in a wide range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities.  Alcohol and tobacco use can each increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  Alcohol use may also make it more difficult for a woman to become pregnant.

Tobacco use in any form can harm an unborn baby.  Carbon monoxide, a toxic gas found in cigarette smoke, lowers oxygen levels in the mother’s blood, which means there is also less oxygen for the baby.  Nicotine, the addictive drug found in tobacco, reduces blood flow by causing blood vessels to narrow.  This means that fewer nutrients can reach the baby.  Pregnant women who smoke have more problems with pregnancy and delivery than nonsmokers do and may have a baby with low birth weight.

Chemicals in marijuana pass through the mother and can harm a baby’s development, and opioid exposure during pregnancy can cause Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), a condition in which the newborn experiences withdrawal from the substance and possible premature birth.    

Let’s support our future generation of babies by encouraging potential mothers to choose a healthy lifestyle free of substances!  Be an active participant in this important initiative by visiting National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) for resources and an opportunity to attend a live podcast on January 17^th, at 2 p.m. For assistance with a substance use disorder, call the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse’s Clinic at 585-593-6738.   

Remember, Prevention Works!

They Encourage Others To Do The Same With Great American Smokeout Activity

Students from Fillmore’s Reality Check program marked 2023’s Great American Smokeout (GASO) by painting windows of the local Shop and Save to with the message: “Flavors are the lure! Nicotine is the hook.”

“Flavored tobacco products are enticing a new generation of New Yorks State’s youth into nicotine addiction, leading many of them to tobacco-related disease and early death,” said Jonathan Chaffee, Youth Outreach Coordinator at Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties (TF-CCA). “Nicotine is not safe for the developing brain, and we must do everything we can to protect kids from a lifetime of tobacco use and nicotine dependence.”

A study released recently from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 2.55 million U.S. middle and high school students reported current (past 30-day) e-cigarette use in 2022, which includes 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students. Nearly 85% of those youth used flavored e-cigarettes and more than half used disposable e-cigarettes.

The high school senior vaping rate in Allegany County is 24.6 percent, which is almost 6 percent higher than the New York State average of 18.7 percent.

Evidence shows that flavors – such as mango, strawberry lemonade, unicorn sherbet and others have directly contributed to the rise and popularity of vaping among teens. The American Journal of Health Behavior reports that 93% of youth who started vaping started with a flavored product. At last count, according to The Journal of Medical Internet Research, there are more than 15,500 vape flavors available online. Other studies show that flavors lead kids to underestimate the risk of tobacco products.

GASO was established in 1976 to get smokers to quit for one day and make a plan to quit for good.

For young people who would like help to quit vaping they can text dropthevape to 88709. Adults in New York can also call the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. (ACASA) for local help quitting at 585-593-1920 ask for Ann. All New York residents can also call the New York Quitline at 1-866-697-8487 or visit www.nysmokefree.com

Reality Check, a teen-led, adult-run program, educates the community on youth smoking and vaping, the deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry, and how policies can change social norms around tobacco sales and use.

For more information on Reality Check, visit www.realitycheckofny.com. To follow what Reality Check is doing in Allegany County you can follow on Facebook, Instagram, and X.                                  

About Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany

Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany (TF-CCA) is funded through the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control and is a part of Tobacco-Free Western New York, managed by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Learn more about Tobacco-Free Western New York at www.tobaccofreewny.com.

Thursday, November 16th, marks the 48th Great American Smokeout, a day set aside for smokers and other tobacco users to abstain for at least one day, in hopes that people will quit completely.  The idea began in 1971 when Arthur Mullaney, a Massachusetts resident, asked people to quit smoking for a day and donate the money they would have spent on tobacco to a local school.  Shortly after Monticello Times editor Lynn Smith led Minnesota’s first “D-Day” (Don’t Smoke Day), the American Cancer Society’s California chapter encouraged nearly one million smokers to quit for the day on November 18, 1976.  Due to the success in California, the ACS took the event nationwide in 1977, maintaining the third Thursday in November as the target date.

From the late 1980’s to the 1990’s, many state and local governments raised taxes on cigarettes, limited promotions, discouraged teen cigarette use, and took further action to counter smoking.  States with strong tobacco control laws witnessed a 42% decrease in adult smoking. 

Research shows that smokers are most successful in “kicking the habit” when they have some means of support, such as nicotine replacement products, counseling, prescription medicines to lessen cravings, guide books, and the encouragement of friends and family members.

“Chew on This: The Need to Engage Your Mouth and Hands After Quitting,” article by the Quitter’s Circle Staff on 3/10/15 cites that a common theme among ex-smokers and those trying to quit, can be fidgety hands and the need to chew gum, toothpicks, or other foods.  Some quitters miss the sensation of a cigarette in their hands or between their teeth.  Testimonials often reveal that smokers become used to having a cigarette in their mouths.  The habit of picking up a cigarette and placing it between one’s lips becomes a routine of comfort.  In addition, the habit of moving one’s hand from cigarette to mouth is repeated so often that quitters and those attempting to quit feel the need to do something with their hands.  This article is one of many that contains this kind of information.  

In light of this, it would stand to reason that e-cigarettes are not an effective cessation tool for most people, as the hand-to-mouth habit of using an e-cigarette reinforces the behavior that potential quitters are aiming to break.  The use of an e-cigarette, which replicates the experience of smoking, may be a drawback to quitting.  Harvey B. Simon, MD, editor of “Harvard Health,” stated in an article dated 9/22/11 that, “By simulating the cigarette experience, e-cigarettes may reactivate the habit in ex-smokers.”

Although smoking rates have dropped, thirty-eight million Americans still smoke, and half will encounter smoking related deaths.  According to the ACS, 1 in 5 deaths in the United States is smoking related, and 87% of lung cancer deaths are attributed to smoking.  Lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death, is also the most preventable.  If you would like to “kick the habit”, but you are not sure what steps to take, call the Allegany Council at 585-593-1920, x 713, for tips on how to quit and stay quit.  Assistance is also available for users of smokeless tobacco. New York residents can also visit the New York State Smokers’ Quitline for resources or call 1-866-697-8487.

Don’t allow yourself to become a replacement smoker or a statistic…join millions of Americans today on a journey to a healthier you!