Tobacco and E-cigarette Use
The problem we face
Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Nearly 95% of adults who smoke started before age 21. NashvilleHealth is joining partners across the state to prevent the next generation of nicotine addicts. In Tennessee, teen e-cigarette use has doubled in the past two years and more than 20% of high school students report smoking cigarettes, cigars or using smokeless tobacco or vape products in the last 30 days.
COST TO TENNESSEE
$2.6 BILLION
annual health care costs directly caused by smoking
Source: Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
$150 MILLION
annual cost to treat tobacco-related medical conditions for TennCare enrollees
Source: TennCare
$3.59 BILLION
smoking-caused productivity losses annually
Source: Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Prevent the Next Generation of Nicotine Addicts
Tobacco 21 restrictions are associated with a near 40% reduction in smoking among 18-20 year olds.
7 in 10 voters say they are concerned about tobacco use among young people
Nearly 80% of Tennesseans say they are concerned about vaping and the use of e-cigarettes among young people in the state
A MOVEMENT WITH STATEWIDE SUPPORT
GO IN DEPTH:
INITIATIVES
Statewide Tobacco and E-Cigarette Policy Opinion Poll: NashvilleHealth partnered with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and CityHealth, an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, to commission a statewide tobacco and e-cigarette policy opinion poll. Garnering national attention, findings showed Tennesseans strongly support tougher tobacco and e-cigarette legislation.
Tobacco-Free Tennessee Coalition: NashvilleHealth serves as the administrator and convener for this statewide group of over 20 member organizations. This includes coordinating strategic planning sessions, guiding agenda setting, bringing in national and local speakers, managing sub-committees and promoting awareness.
Tennessee Quit Week: NashvilleHealth supports the state’s annual Quit Week campaign, which shines a spotlight on our state’s high tobacco use, and encourages those who are ready to quit, to utilize the state Quitline. We work with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness to lead media and public awareness efforts.
SMOKING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH IN TENNESSEE.
