DCSmokeFree Newsletter 11/1/2024

The DCSmokeFree Newsletter
11/1/2024 - A Spooky Update
The DCSmokeFree Team

A Successful Walkout on Tobacco Event Last weekend, we held our second annual Walkout on Tobacco event, honoring the approximately 450 lives lost to tobacco-related illnesses each year in Douglas County. 450 is a significant number when it comes to lives lost. To put it in perspective, Douglas County averages just under 1,500 deaths annually, meaning tobacco use is responsible for nearly one-third of all deaths. This makes the impact of tobacco even more staggering when compared to other causes: between 2014 and 2016, there were 21 deaths from overdoses, 273 from heart disease, 80 from unintentional injuries, and 77 from strokes. These comparisons make it clear that tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disease, leaving lasting impacts on families and communities

This year, around 30 community members joined the event, supported by seven amazing community partners including Aviva Health, Adapt, Douglas Public Health Network, Thrive Umpqua, Glide School District, Glide Revitalization, and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. Together, we collected 90 miles during the event, and to date, we’ve logged a total of 110 miles, including virtual contributions. Remember, you can still join in by logging your miles, whether it’s a walk with your dog around the block or a mile-long stroll through Costco. Every step counts toward the cause! Log your miles here: Log Your Miles

For more detailed data, visit: Oregon's Leading Causes of Death by County

Everyday Epidemics: A Public Health Podcast It’s been an exciting month for Everyday Epidemics! We’ve filmed and recorded three new podcast episodes we can’t wait to share. One standout episode features Dr. Robert Jackler, MD, an ENT surgeon and advocate for tobacco prevention. We explored his work with STRITA, the influence of tobacco advertising, and the extensive collection of these ads. This episode goes live next week and will be available on our YouTube Channel or in audio format on Spotify.

Photo from the Field Below is an image I captured at a convenience store, showcasing vapes, candy, and snacks displayed together as if they belong in the same category. This illustrates just how normalized these products have become.

Broader Updates In recent news, the FDA seized $76 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes in a joint federal operation. This crackdown targeted companies mislabeling and illegally importing vape products, with brands such as GeekBar among those mentioned. Read the full story here.

Stay Connected As always, stay happy and healthy! We’re continually improving the DCSmokeFree website and expanding our media campaign. For the readers who have made it this far, get the first look of our latest halloween ad that has not been released here.