Work Group Meeting, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, Microsoft Teams

Attendees: Sarah Arthur, Kimberly Bayha, Teresa Beardsley, Anna Bess Brown, Lani Callison, Kimberly Canady, Stephanie Cannon, Ashley Curtice, Kaycee Deen, Eric Donny, Abby Emanuelson, Angela Eubanks, Brittany Feeling, Wes Gray, Jen Greene, Jen Greene, Martha Sue Hall, Elizabeth Halstead, Kella Hatcher, Shayla Hayes, Courtney Heck, Sally Herndon, Michaela Hoenig, Kristin Jimison, Jeffrey LaForge, Robyn Lane, Sandra Maldonado, Jim Martin, Luanna McCraw, Kimberly McDonald, Meg Molloy, Molly Monath, Sherry Moore, Tamra Morris, Catherine Mulvihill, Tiffany Munday, Jordan Nabors, Sharon Nelson, Ayeshan Parker, Teresa Pearce, Vera Reinstein, David Robertson, Delton Russell, Jasmine Simmons, Amy Small, Mya Spencer, Ann Staples, Gregg Stave, Mary Williams-Stover, Deidre Sully, Erin Sutfin, Joyce Swetlick, Natalie Thompson, Danelle Trotta, Mary Ward, Ernest Watts, Chloe Wilde, David Willard, David Willard, Larissa Williams, Megan Williams, Juliana Wilson; Staff: Ashley Rink

• Welcome and Introductions:
  • Attendees shared names, roles, and goals for the new year.
• New Year Updates:
  • Wes Gray, Jen Greene, and Sally Herndon introduced Dr. Teresa Pearce as the new Community Co-Lead, replacing Delton Russell, who is now Region 4 Tobacco Control Manager.
• BreatheEasyNC & Change for Life:
  • BreatheEasyNC: Supports tobacco-free policies for Medicaid facilities by July 2025.
  • Change for Life Coalition: Bridges tobacco treatment with substance use disorder (SUD) care and encourages tobacco-free policies in behavioral health settings.
  • Expansion of Medicaid tobacco-free policies to include state-funded facilities.
  • For more details, visit BreatheEasyNC.
• Legislative Session Priorities:
  • Anna Bess Brown (Heart Disease Task Force): Advocates for $3 million in tobacco cessation funding and $17 million for tobacco prevention, along with tobacco law changes (Tobacco 21).
  • Sarah Arthur (Cancer Control Subcommittee): Supports $3 million for cessation funding, $17 million for prevention, and extension of the NCB set tax program for breast/cervical cancer services.
  • Wes Gray (Child Fatality Task Force): Advocates for raising the tobacco purchase age to 21, tobacco retailer licensing, and cannabis packaging regulations.
  • Local health directors and advocacy groups continue to push for Quitline funding and Tobacco 21.
• NCAH Announcements:
  • NCAH: Building a tobacco prevention coalition, with a draft resolution for Tobacco 21. Draft bill to be introduced by March/April. Seeking partners and endorsers.
  • Collaboration with Jim Martin and UNC Tobacco Prevention Program for school tobacco use prevention.
• Partner Updates:
  • Vape Shops in Rural Areas: Meg Molloy discussed the rise of vape shops replacing local businesses, with concerns about unregulated products and poor storefront conditions.
  • Mobile Vape Vans: Ernest Watts noted the increasing presence of mobile vape vans in NC cities, bypassing fixed locations.
  • Post Office Inside Vape Shops: Meg Molloy raised concerns about a post office inside a vape shop in Chatham County, potentially increasing youth access to tobacco products.
  • Receipt Discrepancies: Wes Gray noted hidden fees at vape shops, particularly with cigars and unclear charges.
  • Child Fatality Task Force: Kella Hatcher emphasized raising the tobacco age to 21 and regulating cannabis packaging. Addressing the rise in youth THC ingestion-related emergency visits.
  • Lung Cancer Screening: Larissa Williams shared success from a lung cancer stakeholder meeting aimed at integrating tobacco treatment with screening. Efforts are underway to improve NC’s screening rates.
  • Quitline Access: Joyce Swetlick announced that Quitline users eligible for lung cancer screening will receive educational resources and free radon screening kits starting this month.
  • New Director: Jim Martin introduced Tobin Lee as the new Director of Local Policy and Programs, starting February 3rd.
  • Next Meeting: Sally Herndon announced the next meeting on March 19, 2025, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM via Microsoft Teams. Attendees are encouraged to suggest topics.

Work Group Meeting, Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 3:00 to 4:30 pm, Microsoft Teams

Attendees: Shannon Aiken, Sarah Arthur, Teresa Beardsley, Joslyn Bloomfield, Anna Bess Brown, Lani Callison, Kim Canady, Stephanie Cannon, Kaycee Deen, Brittany Feeling, Wes Gray, Jen Greene, Elizabeth Halstead, Courtney Heck, Sally Herndon, Mona Hood, Kristin Jimison, Robyn Lane, San Maldonado, Meg Molloy, Erin McClain, Lu McCraw, Molly Monath, Tiffany Munday, Jordan Nabors, Sherrie Parish, Vera Reinstein, David Robertson, Delton Russell, Charlene Sampson, Jasmine Simmons, Amy Small, Kyle Smith, Mya Spencer, Gregg Stave, Deidre Sully, Joyce Swetlick, Stacy Thiedeman, Natalie Thompson, Mary Ward, Ernest Watts, David Willard, Larissa Williams, Megan Williams; Staff: Ashley Rink

• Welcome, Introductions, and Icebreaker 
  • The 2024-2025 SHIP Tobacco Committee Co-Leaders are Wes Gray, Organization Co-Lead, Jen Greene, Organization Co-Lead, Sally Herndon, NCDHHS Co-Lead, and Delton Russell, Community Co-Lead.
  • Everyone present was asked to share in their name, title, organization, and what they were thankful for.
• WRAL Gen V- Teen Vaping in NC Documentary and Discussion
  • The work group viewed the WRAL Documentary: Gen V: Teen Vaping in North Carolina. The documentary investigated the alarming rise of teen vaping across the state.
  • Following the viewing, those present were asked to share their reactions to the documentary. Responses shared were as follows:
    • Emphasis on educating about neurobiology and brain development.
    • Suggestion to raise the legal age for tobacco products to 25.
    • Highlighted the need for a tobacco seller permitting process.
    • Shared experience of carding customers at a convenience store.
    • Noted the lack of legislative discussion on youth tobacco dangers.
    • Emphasis on highlighting immediate health impacts of tobacco use.
• Local Stories:
  • Onslow County- Vaping Prevention
    • Amy Small, Public Health Lead Educator with Onslow County Health Department, and Shannon Aiken, Substance Abuse Counselor with the Jacksonville Police Department, presented on Onslow County’s tobacco prevention efforts.
    • The Catch My Breath curriculum successfully reached 1,400 participants.
    • A total of 159 community partners were trained to teach the Catch My Breath curriculum.
    • Partnerships were formed with schools, School Resource Officers (SROs), principals, nurses, and counselors to support the program.
    • Law enforcement’s role in vaping prevention was discussed, with a focus on community engagement.
    • A vape shop operation led to 17 arrests and the seizure of illegal substances.
    • A recent overdose incident involved three 8th-grade students.
  • North Carolina Alliance for Health (NCAH)
    • Meg Malloy from the North Carolina Alliance for Health shared that the Alliance is rebuilding the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition to advocate for Tobacco 21 legislation, including a tobacco seller permitting process.
    • The coalition is working to unite partners and secure bill sponsors for the upcoming legislative session.
    • Currently, 83 organizations are on board, but law enforcement and county commissioner support are needed.
    • Key messages include the ease of nicotine addiction and the challenges of quitting, especially for youth.
    • The Alliance plans to recognize retail merchants who responsibly card customers and support compliant businesses.
    • Youth voices will be highlighted to share the emotional impact of vaping and addiction.
    • The Alliance is building partnerships, working on resolutions, and securing funding for advocacy efforts.
    • Media campaigns and local stories (e.g., Onslow County) will be used to raise awareness among parents, educators, and legislators.
    • Fact sheets highlighting county-level data on tobacco and vaping are being developed.
    • An updated resolution and supporter list will be sent to health directors, and a new webpage will be launched for updates.
  • Updates from Members/Partners
    • The Local Health Directors Association will include tobacco prevention on their business meeting agenda.
    • The Child Fatality Task Force has voted in support of tobacco prevention efforts.
    • Permitting vape shops is seen as a key step in addressing the sale of intoxicating hemp products.
    • A new product, the "smart vape," is rapidly growing in popularity, using gaming technology to attract youth.
    • There is interest in creating a law enforcement education group to engage police departments in the advocacy effort.
• Update on QuitlineNC Funding and Demand for Services
  • The demand for Quitline services is exceeding funding, highlighting the need for continued financial support.
  • For additional information refer to the document titled, "Final Talking Points QuitlineNC 10-7-2024.”
• Next Meeting
  • Appreciation was expressed for the efforts of all involved, with a focus on the importance of community collaboration.
  • The next SHIP Tobacco Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm on Microsoft Teams.