Statewide Effort Launched To Support Raising Tobacco Sale Age in Connecticut
HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobilize Against Tobacco for Connecticut's Health (MATCH), in partnership with American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN), has recently launched Tobacco 21, an educational campaign to generate awareness and support for raising Connecticut's minimum tobacco sale age to 21.
"About 95% of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21," explains Bryte Johnson, Government Relations Director for ACSCAN and MATCH Board Chair. "Individuals who begin smoking at a young age are more likely to become addicted, become heavier tobacco users as adults, and have difficulty quitting. By delaying the age when people first experiment or begin using tobacco, we can reduce the chance that they become lifelong tobacco users."
Tobacco 21, which launched statewide on January 22, 2018, is mobilizing community groups, as well as youth ambassadors, to host events around the state where they will educate community members on the impact of tobacco on youth. On Wednesday, January 24, Southern Connecticut State University and Hartford Behavioral Health kicked off the campaign with a day of action to spread the word about Tobacco 21 and generate support.
"The purpose of this campaign is to deepen the public's understanding of why Tobacco 21 matters and to galvanize support from communities statewide," says Ruth Canovi, Director of Public Policy at American Lung Association of the Northeast. "About 1,500 kids in Connecticut become new daily smokers each year. It's important that residents truly understand how changing the minimum legal tobacco sale age could have a significant, long-term impact on the future of our children's health."
Tobacco 21 is an educational campaign to generate statewide awareness and support for raising the minimum tobacco sales age to 21 in Connecticut. This initiative is implemented by concerned citizens, parents and organizations across Connecticut. For more information or to share your support, visit www.Tobacco21CT.com.
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Michele Sok, (475) 212-6222
SOURCE Mobilize Against Tobacco for Connecticut's Health
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