Governor Baker released his proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget on January 27. It includes a $500,000 cut to the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP). The Governor's line for MTCP contained only $4,618,792--roughly the level of the FY 2020 budget. This proposal is shortsighted at a time when the new tobacco law needs enforcement and COVID-19 has made quitting is more important than ever.

But fear not! This is only the very beginning of a long budget process. We have the opportunity to win the funding back and try for an increase, so watch for an action alert from us in the next couple of weeks. We will fight for this funding so that our state's tobacco control program can continue its vital work!

And remember that we *just* finished a successful push for more funding in the delayed FY 2021 state budget. It was only last month when the Legislature overrode the governor's veto and increased MTCP's line by half a million dollars, bringing the FY 2021 total to $5,118,155. We've done it before, and we can do it again.

News you can use

Young people who try e-cigarettes before the age of 18 may be three times as likely to smoke combustible cigarettes, according to a study in Pediatrics. But some good news: a Truth Initiative report shows that young people aren't buying the industry's lies as it tries to make itself look like a good public citizen.

Vaping could cloud your thoughts, according to an article in Neuroscience News. This "mental fog" was more likely to occur in young people who started vaping before the age of 14.

One of our legislative priorities is defense, including protecting good laws already in place. The Boston Globe ran a pro/con opinion piece on the new law stopping the sale of flavored tobacco. Melissa Stacy from ACS CAN did a fantastic job articulating the need for the ban. Please read the article and vote! The industry is pushing a factually-challenged study about tax revenue, showing they're not ready to give up yet.

Another of our legislative priorities is increasing the tobacco tax, so it's great to see recent tobacco tax wins in Oregon and Colorado!

Unfortunately, California's ban on the sale of flavored tobacco was blocked as the tobacco industry gathered enough signatures to support a November 2022 voter referendum on the issue. Efforts are underway to refile federal legislation to address flavored tobacco nationally; it passed the House but not the Senate last session.

Despite COVID-19's disproportionate toll on people of color, many people don't view racism as a factor in health outcomes, a reminder of the work we need to do to build understanding of racism's role on tobacco use and its effects.

Light smokers, even those who aren't daily smokers, may be addicted to nicotine, according to a new study. In other cessation news, the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health wrote an editorial in JAMA calling for the public health and health care sectors to join forces to help people quit tobacco. The article was a response to the updated recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force on tobacco screening and treatment.

In an effort to help young people quit e-cigarettes, the Truth Initiative is joining with TikTok influencers to broadcast their experiences quitting vape, in real time. I feel cooler already.

Local Action

The Sample Regulation Restricting the Sale of Tobacco and Vape Products has been updated! This is the guidance document for cities and towns looking to improve their tobacco control policies, and it lends insight into what can be done at the municipal level. If your city or town is interested in updating its tobacco sales regulations, free technical assistance is available. Please contact DJ Wilson for more information.

Brookline passed a policy that would prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born after January 1, 2000. The policy needs approval by the Attorney General before it can go into effect; it is currently under review by her office.

Upcoming Tobacco Free Mass Meetings

The calendar of 2021 Tobacco Free Mass meetings is here! I've included Zoom links in the calendar list. Remember, we'll meet remotely at least through the end of June 2021.

March 4 – Full Coalition meeting from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Zoom. To attend the meeting, you must register, which you can do with this link.

March 4 – Advocacy Committee meeting immediately following the Full Coalition meeting, from 12:15 PM to 1:30 PM on Zoom. To attend the meeting, you must register, which you can do with this link.

April 15 – Advocacy Committee meeting from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Zoom. To attend the meeting, you must register, which you can do with this link. ***Note shift to earlier time!***

Download TFM Meeting Calendar for 2021

You made it to the end!

Truly, this is the best part. The links in this very last section are usually just fun. If you've made it this far, you deserve a bit of silliness! Remember, the end is near.

--Gwen

Gwendolyn Stewart

Executive Director

m: (617) 500.3449

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