Important Dates

Noon - 1 PM Pacific. Virtual session of the coalition's Commercial Tobacco Policy Change Learning Circles.

Speakers:

Tom Pryor, J.D., PhD. Staff Attorney, Public Health Law Center. Overview of preemption as a legal concept and industry strategy; preemption and federal tobacco laws; national landscape.

Margaret Shield, Ph.D., Coalition Organizer, Washington Breathes. What’s preempted and what’s not by Washington’s commercial tobacco laws.

Jill Bednarek, MSW, Tobacco Policy Initiative Supervisor, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The story of repealing Colorado’s preemptive state statute on local licensing, fees, and taxes.

Register to participate: Zoom Registration Link
A recording of this session will be shared with those who register.

Washington is one of just 5 states that has broad state-level preemption that blocks most local tobacco regulations. Please join us to delve into the legal concept and real-world impacts of preemption of local policy actions by higher-level commercial tobacco laws. Preemption in WA restricts local initiatives to prohibit sales of flavored tobacco products, to regulate the number and locations of tobacco retailers, and many other policy strategies to protect our communities.

This is part one of a two-part series. This session will provide an understanding of what preemption is and how the tobacco industry and other business interests use preemption as a strategy. Washington’s regulatory environment and current limits on local authority will be explained. We’ll look at initiatives to overturn commercial tobacco preemption in other states and learn about Colorado’s success story. We’ll have time for your questions and some discussion.
Part two will be scheduled in the second half of August to focus on impacts in our Washington communities, local perspectives, and how to move forward on educating about and change preemption.

Our Policy Change Learning Circles are for all our members and partners who support Our Vision: A healthier Washington, where commercial tobacco-related inequities are non-existent and where all people in our communities, across generations, are free from nicotine addiction, disease, and premature death caused by commercial tobacco.

Noon - 1 PM Pacific. Virtual session on Emerging Social Media Strategies for Educational Outreach.

Speaker: Michael Damond, Social Media Consultant, Ninjas for Health

Register to participate: Zoom registration link

The Problem: Public health and prevention advocates often rely on outdated social media tactics, such as static image posts, to disseminate crucial messages. While these methods were once effective, the rapidly evolving landscape of social media now demands more dynamic and engaging content to capture and retain audience attention.

The Solution: This workshop will equip public health advocates with up-to-date strategies and insights to harness the full potential of social media. By understanding the current state of social media platforms, recognizing emerging trends, and utilizing platform-specific content types, participants will be able to create compelling and effective campaigns.

See more information in the training announcement flyer.

Apply by Monday September 23, 2024 for a full scholarship for this

Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) Training.

30 CE hours available (No Cost to participant with scholarship)

4-day online live training + additional self-paced modules

Oct 28, 29 & Nov 4, 5|2024 (9am-2pm)

Learn more about the program and apply for the scholarship here: www.dukeunctts.com/wdva.

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with Washington State Department of Health, is working to advance the use of evidence-based, standard-of-care tobacco/nicotine dependency treatment for veterans and their families in medical and behavioral health facilities as well as veteran service organizations across Washington State.

WDVA’s Veteran Commercial Tobacco Cessation Program is seeking healthcare and public health professionals, as well as anyone providing service to veterans to apply for a “No Cost” Scholarship for Comprehensive Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training provided by Duke-UNC. The course is 100% online and interactive for the best learning experience.

Anyone wanting to gain the knowledge and expertise to make a difference in the lives of veterans with tobacco/nicotine dependence is encouraged to apply!

Individuals and/or entities receiving this scholarship must commit to completing all requirements of the Duke-UNC TTS Training Program as well as providing:

• Tobacco/Nicotine Use Assessment
• Treatment Plan Recommendations and Education
• Resources for Regular Follow Up Coaching & Counseling
• Resources for FREE NRT- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (Patches, Gum, Lozenges)

Learn more about the program and apply for the scholarship here: www.dukeunctts.com/wdva.

• For information about the WDVA Scholarship Program, please contact Paul Caseley at paul.caseley@dva.wa.gov or 564-200-2149
• For information about the Duke-UNC TTS Training Program, please contact Jennifer Greyber at cttsprogram@duke.edu or 919-668-5042.

Second annual Rural Prevention Conference in Yakima.

The Rural Network is a group of leaders and volunteers across Washington state who work towards building resiliency and preventing youth substance misuse in rural communities.

This conference is open to everyone interested in understanding challenges of working in rural or frontier communities, as well as anyone interested in joining the Rural Network.

Conference information: 2024 Rural Prevention Conference

Annual Washington State Public Health Association Conference. Held in Yakima this year.

The 2024 theme is Cultivating Social Justice: Past, Present, and Future

Scholarships for participation are available.
More information and registration: WSPHA 2024 Annual Conference

Annual Washington State Prevention Summit in Seattle at Westin Hotel.

Registration Link

Call for Presentations due August 2, 2024

Conference Website: 2024 Prevention Summit

Virtual National Conference.
This national conference, taking place for the third time, features emerging topics in commercial tobacco prevention and a new first day with sessions focusing on the fundamentals of tobacco prevention. With dynamic content for professionals at any stage in their career, ToPCon will be a site for dialogue around prevention best practices, strategies for policy change, engaging community, health equity, and much more. Join the discussion!

FREE Pre-conference July 22nd. Fundamentals of Tobacco Prevention. 8 AM - 11 AM. Designed for those who are new or emerging in the field of commercial tobacco prevention.

Day 1, July 23rd 8 AM - 2 PM Pacific

Day 2, July 24th 8 AM - 2 PM Pacific

more conference information

Apply by Monday September 23, 2024 for a full scholarship for this

Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) Training.

30 CE hours available (No Cost to participant with scholarship)

4-day online live training + additional self-paced modules

Oct 28, 29 & Nov 4, 5|2024 (9am-2pm)

Learn more about the program and apply for the scholarship here: www.dukeunctts.com/wdva.

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with Washington State Department of Health, is working to advance the use of evidence-based, standard-of-care tobacco/nicotine dependency treatment for veterans and their families in medical and behavioral health facilities as well as veteran service organizations across Washington State.

WDVA’s Veteran Commercial Tobacco Cessation Program is seeking healthcare and public health professionals, as well as anyone providing service to veterans to apply for a “No Cost” Scholarship for Comprehensive Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training provided by Duke-UNC. The course is 100% online and interactive for the best learning experience.

Anyone wanting to gain the knowledge and expertise to make a difference in the lives of veterans with tobacco/nicotine dependence is encouraged to apply!

Individuals and/or entities receiving this scholarship must commit to completing all requirements of the Duke-UNC TTS Training Program as well as providing:

• Tobacco/Nicotine Use Assessment
• Treatment Plan Recommendations and Education
• Resources for Regular Follow Up Coaching & Counseling
• Resources for FREE NRT- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (Patches, Gum, Lozenges)

Learn more about the program and apply for the scholarship here: www.dukeunctts.com/wdva.

• For information about the WDVA Scholarship Program, please contact Paul Caseley at paul.caseley@dva.wa.gov or 564-200-2149
• For information about the Duke-UNC TTS Training Program, please contact Jennifer Greyber at cttsprogram@duke.edu or 919-668-5042.

Second annual Rural Prevention Conference in Yakima.

The Rural Network is a group of leaders and volunteers across Washington state who work towards building resiliency and preventing youth substance misuse in rural communities.

This conference is open to everyone interested in understanding challenges of working in rural or frontier communities, as well as anyone interested in joining the Rural Network.

Conference information: 2024 Rural Prevention Conference

Annual Washington State Public Health Association Conference. Held in Yakima this year.

The 2024 theme is Cultivating Social Justice: Past, Present, and Future

Scholarships for participation are available.
More information and registration: WSPHA 2024 Annual Conference

Annual Washington State Prevention Summit in Seattle at Westin Hotel.

Registration Link

Call for Presentations due August 2, 2024

Conference Website: 2024 Prevention Summit