eliminating tobacco disparities health disparities council july 16, 2012
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Eliminating Tobacco Disparities Health Disparities Council July 16, 2012. State of Lung Disease in Diverse Communities. Compared to White smokers, Black smokers were: 70% less likely to be asked by a doctor about their tobacco use 72% less likely to be advised to quit. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Eliminating Tobacco Disparities
Health Disparities Council July 16, 2012
State of Lung Disease in Diverse Communities
Compared to White smokers, Black smokers were:
• 70% less likely to be asked by a doctor about their tobacco use
• 72% less likely to be advised to quit
Cost of Tobacco Use• 9,000 adults die every year in MA from tobacco use.
• For every person who dies from a smoking-related disease, 20 people suffer from a smoking-related illness.
• We spend over $4.3 billion a year treating tobacco-related illnesses in Massachusetts. That represents 10% of our state’s health care costs.
Community Awareness: Rhode Island
Point of Purchase/Retail Advertising:
• Increases current smokers’ consumption • May reduce current smokers’ resolve to quit • Encourages former smokers to resume their habit • Encourages youth smoking initiation
Minority Pop =
70.1% -95.4%
Minority Pop = 7.5% - 20%
Minority Pop =
20% - 50%
South Side/West SidePopulation = 38,718
Area = 2.83 sq. mi.
East SidePopulation = 34,580
Area = 4.27 sq mi
36 Vendors 27 Outdoor Ads 66 Vendors
153 Outdoor Ads
Providence, RI2007-2008
Community Awareness: New York City
• Youth-led walking tours in all 5 boroughs of NYC
• Highlighted tobacco ads that target the community
• Engaged decision makers
“Eye level is buy level.”- British American Tobacco
Community Awareness: Massachusetts
Policy Solutions: Local
• Permitting• Packaging • Point of Purchase/Retail Advertising • Expanding Products Covered • Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products
Tobacco Free Pharmacies
• 38 communities in Massachusetts have passed policies including: Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell
• Cover 32.2% of state population (over 2 million people)
• State legislation filed by Chairwoman Susan Fargo and Representative Sean Garballey
• Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Funding
• Tax policy
• Access to tobacco cessation treatments
• Smokefree laws
Policy Solutions: State
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/what_we_do/state_local/tobacco_settlement/massachusetts
Massachusetts Tobacco Revenue vs. Spending
http://www.massbudget.org/
The number of packs sold in Massachusetts
decreased 59% from FY92 to FY10.
State excise tax revenue from cigarettes
increased 6% annually.
Increase Price, Decrease Consumption
Other Tobacco Products Tax Loophole• State Cigarette tax = $2.51 per pack • Lower tax rate on kid-friendly, non-cigarette tobacco products• Legislation filed by Representative Hecht to close this
loophole.
Source: MA Department of Public Health, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1998- 2008
Helping Smokers Quit
Smoking Cessation Treatments• Comprehensive insurance coverage of 7 FDA-
approved medications & counseling options • Expanding MassHealth cessation benefit to Group
Insurance Commission and Commonwealth Care plans would save $1.4 million in Year 1 and $7.4 million by Year 5.
Going Smokefree
• Protecting our 2004 Smokefree Workplace Law• Institutions – Academic, Health Care• Public & Private Housing• Outdoor spaces • Cars
Policy Solutions: Federal
Cessation Coverage • Affordable Care Act • Federal Employees & Department of Defense
FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products • Graphic Warning Labels• Ban on flavored cigarettes (Menthol TBD)
Engaging Policy Partners
Across the Health Sector EducationElder Affairs Housing Veterans
