Over 400,000 people in the United States die every year from tobacco-related diseases, and tobacco use and secondhand smoke do not discriminate against their victims.  The American Cancer Society estimates that over 30,000 LGBT people die each year from tobacco-related diseases. Locally in Nebraska, through the Midlands Sexual Health Research Collaborative’ s Midlands LGBT Needs Assessment Community Report in 2011, 46.4% of LGBT respondents had smoked 100 cigarettes in their life.

CRHD along with Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC) and Latinas, Tabaco, y Cáncer (LTC) help find and create solutions to creating an Omaha that is healthier and tobacco-free across all population groups.  We are able to provide technical assistance for creating tobacco-free environments such as smoke-free apartments and tobacco-free business policies, making it healthier for all of us to be in a space where smoking is not the norm but a known and avoidable cause of preventable death.

Through the “Smokeless Diva” pageant, we were able to reach out and promote healthier choices by demonstrating  that being smoke-free or smoke-less is a lot more glamorous and fun than being tied down to a cig.

What better way to inform people about the dangers of tobacco use than an animated and creative pageant?  In order to afford an appealing prize for the winner, the LTC LGBT subgroup held a tamale sale where they sold close to 35 dozen tamales.  And so, our Diva took home a sash and crown, roses, and a cash price of $150.  Although these are humble beginnings for a pageant, it brought forth a most stunning contestant and now winner, Tygra Slaríí.

Everyone involved in the planning of the pageant could not imagine what type of Diva this pageant would bring and how comfortable she would be in talking about tobacco when smoking is so ingrained into the LGBT community, but we were pleasantly surprised when Tygra took to the stage. There were four categories within the pageant, two of which are not necessarily often done, an interview and a creative costume wear.  During the creative costume category of the pageant, contestants were asked to design an outfit that reflected the insides of a smoker.  Tygra appeared in a beautifully fitted wedding dress, and on her hands she held a bouquet.  Some people were a bit confused and frankly did not understand her outfit, but then she blew into her bouquet and a bunch of material floated in the air which appeared like smoke. Tygra made an elegant turn and there it was…the back of the dress was black and tarred with cigarette boxes attached to it. The dress was backless, where black lungs were drawn on and patched with white tape to resemble sick lungs. What creativity! We thought that the highlight of the night, that is until she spoke to the audience during the interview. When asked why she was competing, Tygra revealed that she desired the title of ‘Smokeless Diva’ because she wanted to make a difference for people in her community; she did not want others to suffer the fate of her father who had died of lung cancer a few years prior.  With the support of her family, Tygra had entered the drag queen world and has a great appreciation of them; she wants to do her part to bring awareness to the community on the silent killer that took one of her champions.

The night was filled with laughter, witty banter from the Emcees, and wonderful performers and rock star drag queens.  Most of all it was full of useful information regarding tobacco.   Miss Smokeless Diva accepted her title with such elegance and glamour. Tygra entered her reign as Smokeless Diva very seriously where during her victory show, Tygra organized a substance abuse show with drag performers to promote prevention and awareness. The show was a remarkable display of talent and creativity as some performers depicted drug overdosing, heroin, cocaine and others.  Tygra’s reign continues, so if you would like to support her CRHD/MOTAC/ and LTC as well as
other projects/events like these, please visit https://www.facebook.com/Motac.

The Health Profile Report focuses on the overall health disparities facing the Latino population, which grew by nearly 93 percent between 2000 and 2010 in Nebraska.  Below are some of the highlights of the report.

Nebraska Latino Health Status Highlights:

• Over 35% of Hispanic/Latino adults aged 18 to 64 years old do not have a personal physician.
• One quarter of Hispanics/Latinos rated their health status as either “fair” or “poor”.¹⁶
• Almost one third of the Hispanic/Latino population is uninsured.[1]
• Almost one quarter of Latinas received inadequate prenatal care.[2]
• Close to 10% of Hispanic/Latino adults surveyed through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2006 to 2010 had more than 10 days in the past month where they mentally did not feel well.¹⁸  Almost a quarter of Latino youth felt sad and hopeless during the past year.[3]  About 14% of Hispanics/Latinos report that they never get any emotional support.[4]
• Obesity, measured by a level of BMI at 30 or above, was higher for Hispanics/Latinos than for other groups.
• More than one-third of Hispanics/Latinos have no exercise outside of work. [5]
• The overall STD rate for Hispanics/Latinos was nearly three times the rate for Whites.[6]  Also, Latinos bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic, with a mortality rate that was 3 times that of Whites.
• The teen birth rate for Latina girls was 4.9 times the rate of White girls.
• Hispanic/Latino students were more likely to smoke cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days than their White peers.[7]

Given these complex challenges, the solutions to addressing health disparities among Hispanics/Latinos require comprehensive, inter-sectoral, multi-level, community-wide interventions and policy changes that address not only health, but also the social determinants of health – the circumstances in which people are born, grow up, live, work, and age, as well as the healthcare systems in place to deal with illness.[12]  Policies across sectors such as education, economic development, housing, immigration, public safety, and healthcare can directly or indirectly impact disparate populations, including Latinos.  Efforts to revitalize poor neighborhoods, improve the quality of schools and access to public services, guarantee access to healthy foods, and ensure culturally-competent community services and equitable policies that link Latinos to economic opportunities are promising strategies that can significantly improve the health of Latino communities in Nebraska and across the country.  Indeed, ending racial and ethnic health disparities is a major challenge—but one that can be met if the research, public health practices, education and training, government, outreach, and service sectors work together. 

• 7 Blog posts
• 56 Facebook posts; Reaching over 1500 people and getting 15 new “Likes” for UNMC Center for Reducing Health Disparities, MOTAC, and the Omaha Tobacco Free Parks Initiative
• 54 Tweets and 12 new followers on Twitter

Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless we act, it will kill up to 8 million people by 2030, of which more than 80% will live in low- and middle-income countries.  Every year, World No Tobacco Day (May 31), is geared to be a 24-hour abstinence from tobacco and all its products is encouraged throughout the world. WNTD also hopes to draw attention to widespread tobacco use, the health hazards that stem from it, and this year the tobacco industry’s interference.

We hope that this is just the beginning of a strong tobacco-free movement and that everyone will continue to be involved in the tobacco control movement!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship should be banned. All forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship should be banned.  Advertising bans significantly reduce the numbers of people starting and continuing to smoke. Banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce tobacco use.

The tobacco industry is constantly trying new promotional tactics using nontraditional media to exploit advertising and promotion bans

Examples include:

• handing out gifts and selling branded products such as clothing, in particular targeting young people
• “stealth marketing” such as engaging trendsetters to influence people in places such as cafes and nightclubs
• using online and new media, such as encouraging consumer interaction to design a new pack for a cigarette brand
• placement of tobacco products and brands in films and television programmes, including reality TV and soap operas
• corporate social responsibility activities such as donating to charity.

Tobacco industry advertising and sponsorship targets young people.  About one third of youth experimentation with tobacco occurs as a result of exposure to tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.  Worldwide, 78% of young people aged 13-15 years old report regular exposure to some form of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.  In the United States of America, smoking appears in 66% of movies rated PG-13, and adolescents are the most frequent moviegoers.  Additionally, young people aged 13-15 years are up to five times more likely than adults to be offered free cigarettes by a representative of a tobacco company.

A comprehensive ban of all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship is required under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).  A comprehensive ban reduces tobacco consumption regardless of a country’s income level.  WHO’s report on the global tobacco epidemic 2011 shows that only 19 countries (representing just 6% of the world’s population) have reached the highest level of achievement in banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

Charities and community projects should never accept tobacco industry support. Tobacco companies use corporate social responsibility activities to promote themselves as good corporate citizens, normalizing tobacco use and creating goodwill in the community.  Consumers should be alert to tactics used by tobacco companies to exploit advertising and promotion bans.

Join us in participating in the dialogue about World No Tobacco Day! Talk about it and Share it. Leave us a comment, Facebook us, or Tweet us @UNMCCRHD @MOTACOmaha using hashtag: #WNTD2013!

SOURCE: http://www.who.int/campaigns/no-tobacco-day/2013/en/index.html

• There is more stress, and cigarettes are a great stress reliever.
• LGBT people have been told “no” for a long time and smoking is a legal form of rebellion.
• LGBT people go out at bars/clubs, and cigarettes fit in with the bar scene.

There is a lot to be said about the type of stressors we each go through day to day, but we never really experience what it would be like to outrightly be denied certain rights. Therefore,stressors would be much higher in a population that undergoes this type of scrutiny and discrimination. The warmth and welcome that a cigarette would have to someone that is seeking acceptance, would be a readily available release of the pressures one would experience.

The marketing that has been used by tobacco companies, have been very smart and decisive in the LGBT community. For example there is one ad from American Spirit cigarettes that reads: ”Free. to speak. to choose. to marry. to participate. to be. to disagree. to inhale.to believe. to love. to live. it’s all good.”  This type of messaging pulls on emotions of the LGBT community to market their deadly product.

Learn more about tobacco control efforts in the LGBT community through our partner, the LGBT Network for Health Equity.

Big Tobacco is an industry that builds consumer loyalty through lies and deception.  Learn more about tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship at http://www.who.int/campaigns/no-tobacco-day/2013/brochure/en/index.html.

Join us in participating in the dialogue about World No Tobacco Day! Talk about it and Share it. Leave us a comment, Facebook us, or Tweet us @UNMCCRHD @MOTACOmaha using hashtag: #WNTD2013!

As urbanites, all we get to enjoy, when it comes to nature, is a beautiful lawn and nearby tree, if we are lucky, a garden at our home or nearby neighbor’s. In order to really come out from our everyday routine, and have a good whiff of fresh air, there is the public park.  The park is a place, since we were children, that we visited to let out some steam, to jump, to play, to scream! Never do we think about the smoke or the litter, until there it is, among the little chubby fingers of our toddler that is about to give a taste to the cigarette butt found in the sandbox.

Cigarette litter in Mandan Park, Omaha, NE (September 2012)

Do we think twice when someone is smoking at the park? Perhaps, but not if they are at a distance.  But, are they really at a distance? No, if you see them, most likely your kids can see them too and that sends a message.  That tells our youth that smoking really isn’t that big of a deal, and what’s more, like they get to play and have fun, so do the adults. The role modeling that is demonstrated in a setting where activity is mostly mimicked should be a concern for all of us.  Next time you go to a park, know the facts, such as:

• Secondhand smoke exposure poses health risks for children and adults. The 2010 U.S. Surgeon General’s report concluded there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even when you are outdoors and think that the air is getting rid of the smoke, it still travels and takes time to dissipate, so you and everyone else nearby can still be exposed.

• Cigarette litter is harmful, and the cigarette is the most littered item on the planet.  The American Lung Association states that there are 600 chemicals in cigarettes, 4,000  when lit, of those 50 are known to cause cancer.  As cigarettes can pose threats to our children they also endanger animals and marine life when they mistake filters for food.

• Adult habits affect youth. Studies have found that parental actions, attitudes, and opinions about smoking have a great deal of influence on whether or not kids smoke.

The Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC) is now beginning a new initiative to make all City of Omaha parks tobacco-free.  Parks are placed to be enjoyed and promote active fun lifestyles.  Families go to parks to enjoy the facilities and spend time together.  Let’s promote positive behaviors for our children.  Help change the norms in our community and support the tobacco-free parks initiative!  You won’t be alone.  In fact over 86% of Douglas County residents support a policy to limit smoking in outdoor areas and more than 90% support a policy to limit smoking in recreational areas.

Join us in participating in the dialogue about World No Tobacco Day!  Talk about it and Share it. Leave us a comment, Facebook us, or Tweet us @UNMCCRHD @MOTACOmaha using hashtag: #WNTD2013!

Rent Smoke-Free is an important initiative that the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC) began about 5 years ago to increase the number of smoke-free housing options available. Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) has also joined the effort and has partnered with MOTAC to help support landlords and inform tenants on the benefits of renting smoke-free. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and there is no way to stop secondhand smoke from traveling from one unit to another once someone starts smoking inside an apartment building. Reports from the Center for Disease Control show that children are especially vulnerable to the health effects of secondhand smoke because of their developing bodies and lungs, and children that are exposed to secondhand smoke are increasingly more susceptible to asthma, ear infections, decreased reading and math scores, and higher levels of behavioral problems.  Through MOTAC and DCHD efforts materials are provided to landlords and tenants, some of which include: window clings, manuals on going smoke-free and its benefits, cigarette receptacles for designated smoking areas as an alternative to smoking inside, and free no smoking signage.

What are your thoughts concerning renting smoke-free living? Does smoking in apartment buildings affect you?

Join us in participating in the dialogue about World No Tobacco Day! Talk about it and Share it. Leave us a comment, Facebook us, or Tweet us @UNMCCRHD @MOTACOmaha using hashtag: #WNTD2013!

• Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, imposing a huge toll on health, lives and dollars on families, businesses and government.
• Tobacco kills more than 400,000 people annually – more than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined.
• Tobacco costs the U.S. more than $96 billion in health care expenditures and $97 billion in lost productivity each year.
• While the United States has made major progress against tobacco use, one in five Americans still smokes, and about 4,000 kids try their first cigarette each day.

Now let’s take it to Nebraska….Here’s some data to get you thinking about the consequences of tobacco right here in our state.

The Toll of Tobacco in Nebraska

*Due to changes in CDC’s methodology, the 2011 adult smoking rate cannot be compared to adult smoking data from previous years.

 U.S. National Data (2011)

 Deaths in Nebraska from Smoking

Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined — and thousands more die from other tobacco-related causes — such as fires caused by smoking (more than 1,000 deaths/year nationwide) and smokeless tobacco use.

Smoking-Caused Monetary Costs in Nebraska

Amounts do not include health costs caused by exposure to secondhand smoke, smoking-caused fires, smokeless tobacco use, or cigar and pipe smoking. Tobacco use also imposes additional costs such as workplace productivity losses and damage to property.

Tobacco Industry Influence in Nebraska

Published research studies have found that kids are twice as sensitive to tobacco advertising than adults and are more likely to be influenced to smoke by cigarette marketing than by peer pressure. One-third of underage experimentation with smoking is attributable to tobacco company advertising.

Join us in participating in the dialogue about World No Tobacco Day! Talk about it and Share it. Leave us a comment, Facebook us, or Tweet us @UNMCCRHD @MOTACOmaha using hashtag: #WNTD2013!

SOURCE: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/nebraska

World No Tobacco Day 2013 Official Poster

World No Tobacco Day, celebrated each year on May 31, unites people, governments and civil society for action against the harms to health of tobacco use. Every year a theme is picked and this year’s theme is “Free yourself!” This is the World Health Organization’s message to governments. A comprehensive ban of all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is required under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless we act, it will kill up to 8 million people by 2030, of which more than 80% will live in low- and middle-income countries.

Again this year as part of our World No Tobacco Day activities, the Center will be doing an online media project to inform and engage the public on the dangers of tobacco and the tobacco industry’s tactics.  We hope that you will join us for this day of action by participating in the online dialogue on Facebook, Twitter, and of course right here on our Blog.  Become a fan of our Facebook page.  Follow us on Twitter @UNMCCRHD @MOTACOmaha and engage with us using the hashtag: #WNTD2013!

There is a higher prevalence of smoking in the LGBT community. According to a report released by the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network and the Fenway Institute in 2005, LGBT individuals are 40-70 percent more likely to smoke cigarettes than non-LGBT individuals. The same report attributes the increased use within the community to “higher levels of social stress, frequent patronage of bars and clubs, higher rates of alcohol and drug use, and direct targeting of LGBT consumers by the tobacco industry.”  A local survey conducted by the Midlands Sexual Health Research Collaborative in 2011 found that 26.2% of the sample reported smoking cigarettes everyday or some days, but nearly half of the sample (46.4%) had smoked more than 5 packs in their life. Additionally, about 1 in 5 smokers in this study reported an attempt at quitting smoking in the last 12 months.

LGBT adolescents are also of particular concern. A recent national study found that 35 percent of adolescent males and 45 percent of adolescent females who reported same-sex attraction or behavior smoked, compared with 29 percent of non-LGBT adolescents. In a 2007 study of LGBT youth, those who smoked told researchers they believe cigarettes add to a facade of toughness that decreases bullying and also act as easy ice breakers.

National LGBT Health Week is organized by the National Coalition for LGBT Health. This year’s campaign, titled “Come Out For Health,” focuses on four core principles: empowering consumers to approach their health care providers concerning their sexual orientation and gender identity; directing their providers on how to be culturally competent and sensitive to the needs of the LGBT community; creating inclusive policy making by getting people involved with government; and reaching out to a variety of communities to raise awareness about the health needs of the LGBT individuals.

For more information or to request a presentation on LGBT tobacco use and prevention initiatives in Douglas County, please contact Diana Rogel-Mendoza at (402) 559-9662 or via email at diana.rogelmendoza@unmc.edu.