Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
National and State Tobacco Control Program - The Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Health (DOH) is applying for Component 1 and Component 2 of the CDC Grant DP20-2001. DOH adheres to the national Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) framework established for the nation’s health and incorporates evidence-based, culturally appropriate policy, systems and environmental (PSE) strategies to reduce the impact of tobacco use and dependence. Tobacco use and dependence remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States, resulting in more deaths annually than HIV/AIDS, alcohol use, cocaine use, heroin use, homicides, suicides, motor vehicle crashes and fires combined. Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals; hundreds are harmful, and about 70 cause cancer. Extensive research has proven that smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and reduces health overall. DOH will utilize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Best Practices for a Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs (2014) and National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) goals to affect changes in community norms: 1) prevent the initiation of tobacco use (including emerging products and e-cigarettes) among youth and young adults 2) promote quitting among adults and young people, 3) eliminate nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke, and 4) identify and eliminate tobacco-related health disparities. DOH has demonstrated its ability to meet these goals and collaborate with partner public health programs and agencies to expand the reach and intensity of these strategies. DOH intends to expand tobacco use and dependence treatment interventions and tobacco-free campus policies in behavioral health treatment settings and increase prevention education and access to quit services among low SES populations and the LGBTQ community in Pennsylvania, utilizing community-led approaches to address these populations that are disparately affected by tobacco use and dependence and secondhand smoke exposure (SHS). DOH will implement statewide interventions and activities to address the epidemic of emerging tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes, among youth, and focus on educating stakeholders, youth influencers and community partners to prevent initiation and reduce use and access to these emerging tobacco products. PA’s five-year Work Plan includes recommended Strategies and Activities outlined in CDC’s Best Practices - 2014 that include State and Community Interventions such as engaging partners, mobilizing communities, sustaining and growing statewide and coalitions; educating stakeholders about health and benefits of proven tobacco regulations; supporting healthy policy by strengthening community-based capacity; and coordinating enforcement efforts to reach every PA tobacco retailer. Mass-Reach Health Communications will focus on earned media efforts to reach youth and young adult stakeholders, expand upon existing paid media efforts at the national level and utilize existing creative materials to reduce paid media costs. Tobacco Use and Dependence Treatment Interventions will support clinical interventions and accessible quit services relevant to all tobacco users and high-risk groups. Surveillance and Evaluation will be conducted and coordinated when possible; conduct program evaluation; and facilitate the use of data/findings to inform public health action. Infrastructure, Administration and Management will further expand DOH’s many collaborations and multi-level leadership; provide ongoing training and technical assistance to partners and staff; and monitor progress and partnerships. Expected outcomes for the five-year period align with the priorities in the National State-Based Tobacco Control Logic Model to decrease initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults; decreased exposure to second hand smoke; decrease tobacco use and dependence among adults and youth; and decrease tobacco related disparities.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).