For a short month, February had a lot going on!

February 19 was the bill filing deadline, and friends and foes of tobacco control filed several key pieces of tobacco legislation.  The good list included taxes and closing the loophole for MassHealth tobacco cessation coverage.

Sen. Hariette Chandler and Rep. Marjorie Decker filed bills that would increase the cigarette tax by $1.00 and increase the cigar tax from 40% to 80% of wholesale.  Sen. Jason Lewis and Rep. Christine Barber filed bills that would expand access to tobacco cessation counseling by allowing new categories of professionals to bill MassHealth for tobacco cessation, including dentists, behavioral and mental health counselors, and certified tobacco use cessation counselors.

There are a few bad bills we're watching, including a couple that would overturn the menthol provision of the new tobacco law and one that would penalize possession of tobacco products.

When Governor Baker released his proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget in late January, it included 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 is only the very beginning of a long budget process. The next step is for the House Ways and Means Committee to release its version of the budget, which is expected in April.

Watch your email inbox next week for an action alert on all of these issues to act on and share!

News you can use

• The amount of cigarettes current or past smokers have smoked might impact the severity of their COVID-19 symptoms, according to a new study in JAMA.

• The New York Times reports on an apparent uptick in smoking among current and former smokers who blame stress and boredom from the pandemic.

• A meta-study reinforces the conclusion that smoking, even current smoking or former smoking, significantly increases the risk of COVID-19 severity and death.

• Tobacco industry infighting!  Reynolds American Tobacco is suing Phillip Morris over claims that PM's IQOS product infringes on its patents.

• Young people's use of vaping declined and their awareness of its harms increased--but use still remains high, according to a new study in JAMA.

• Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids just released a report summarizing how the tobacco industry targets Black Americans with menthol products--it's a great overview of the issue.

Kick Butts Day

Kick Butts Day is back… and it's virtual again this year!  The young people have invited us to join in the celebration from 4:00-4:30 on March 31!

Please don't log in earlier than 4:00; there will be a training during that time that we don't want to Zoom-bomb! 

Local Action

The Sample Regulation Restricting the Sale of Tobacco and Vape Products has been updated for 2021!  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.

Upcoming Tobacco Free Mass Meetings

Can't wait to see you at our quarterly full coalition meeting next week! 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.

David is finished with his smoking.

Still here?  Then you've just earned the right to read David Sedaris' history of not smoking, smoking, and not smoking.

--Gwen

Gwendolyn Stewart

Executive Director

m: (617) 500.3449

Feel like procrastinating?

Make it productive by following us on social media:

• Facebook: @tobaccofreemass
• Twitter: @tobaccofreemass
• Website: tobaccofreema.org

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