PRESS

Presentation Sends Warning About New Smokeless Tobacco Products

County Health Department Sends Warning During Youth Connections Coalition Meeting

Helena, MT – June 20th, 2011- As communities across the nation and Montana take a stance against the Tobacco Industry, the industry is trying to get creative in creating new products that will fly under the radar.  At 7am Tuesday morning in the board room at the Chamber of Commerce Katie Martin from the Lewis and Clark County Health Department in the Tobacco Use Prevention Program will make a presentation at the Youth Connections Coalition meeting sharing information about the new and very dangerous tobacco products that are soon to hit the shelves in our community. 

Katie will be sharing with the coalition what these products look like, how they are used, and the health effects.  She will also be talking about some concerns that come along with the products (for example- how easily hidden they are, the large amount of nicotine they contain, etc.)  As well as including some examples of messaging that tobacco companies are using to try and target youth.

Youth Connections Coalition Director Drenda Niemann says, “The health department has been a great partner in preventing substance abuse and we are excited for Katie to share with our coalition members this new information.  It’s very important to educate our community before these products are available and send a warning regardless of the tobacco companies marketing strategies these products are not safe.”

She adds by saying, “We have a coalition list of over 800 people tied to a diverse population of business and organizations, and we will have around 40 people at this meeting.  We feel strongly about helping the Health Department get the word out about these new products.”

For more information on this meeting or to set up an interview, please contact Youth Connections by calling 465-9998.