A Healthy Nashville X: COVID-19 and Tobacco, E-Cigarette Use

In this Issue:
– Strengthening T-21 in Tennessee
 – Tobacco-Free Tennessee
– COVID-19 Heat Map
 – Tracking COVID in Tennessee
– Response Fund Update

Strengthening T-21 in Tennessee

Evidence increasingly suggests people who smoke or vape are more likely to have complications or become severely ill and die from COVID-19 than non users. Even before coronavirus, smoking was the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. A 2019 statewide opinion poll showed Tennesseans strongly support tougher tobacco and e-cigarette legislation with nearly 80% of Tennesseans saying they are concerned about vaping and the use of e-cigarettes among young people.

NashvilleHealth and a coalition of more than 25 healthcare, business and education organizations came together this legislative session to support a bill sponsored by Rep. Robin Smith and Senator Shane Reeves to strengthen enforcement of the tobacco 21 law in Tennessee.

To learn more about smoking and vaping trends in Davidson County, explore data results from the Nashville Community Health + Well-being Survey.

The Tobacco-Free Tennessee Coalition (TFTN), administered by NashvilleHealth, is comprised of businesses, non-profit and government organizations that actively support the vision for a tobacco-free Tennessee. The Coalition, which meets quarterly, works to reduce tobacco use and its harmful effects on the citizens of Tennessee through education, policy, and advocacy. The next meeting will take place Thursday, June 11 at 9 a.m. via Zoom. To learn more, email here.

Davidson County COVID Heat Map

Tracking COVID in Tennessee