1. Protect Kansas Kids from Big Tobacco
Vicki Collie-Akers, Associate Director for Health Promotion Research Center for Community Health and Development Life Span Institute, University of Kansas
Ruth Gathunguri, Senior Free State High School and 2018 Boys and Girl Club Kansas Youth of the Year
Monica Dittner, Executive Director B&GC
Denise Johnson, Assistant Director of Health and Wellness

2. Tobacco 21: Raise the Age to Prevent a New Generation of Addiction
T21 Prevents!
T21 Works!
A Tobacco 21 law requires sellers to only sell tobacco products, including e-cigarettes to those 21 and older, eliminating the supply chain to teens. This is a preventive measure designed to delay initiation of these products at a time when we are most vulnerable to addiction, the teen years. This measure will save the lives of Kansans and help them avoid a lifetime of addiction and illness.
T21 Saves!
There is already proof that T21 laws work. Needham, Massachusetts was the first city to adopt T21 in Needham saw its youth smoking rates decline by 50%, while surrounding communities without T21 policies saw little reduction in youth use rates over the same period. More recently, Chicago studied the impact of its T21 policy in 2017 and found declines comparable to Needham’s.
Vicki begins and introduces herself
An Institute of Medicine (IOM) study estimates a reduction in tobacco use of 25% among year old's and a 15% reduction for year old's if a Tobacco 21 policy is in place. This would result in an overall smoking decline of 12%.
Source: Kessel Schneider S., Community Reductions in Youth Smoking After Raising the Minimum Tobacco Sales Age to 21

3. 21 cities and counties in Kansas have adopted T21 laws
Vicki

4. Ruth steps in and introduces herself and explains her part

5. District Next Steps Presentations to Staff Collaboration on Curriculum
Community Supports
Implement
Denise introduces herself and explains her part

6. It is time to raise the sales age of tobacco and nicotine products to 21 years of age in Lawrence and Douglas County.
Questions?
Vicki ends the presentation. We will all stay up front