Request for Proposal to be Released in August

VTSF plans to release an RFP for programs in August. This is a 3-year grant with the grant term: July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2012. Registration for the Mandatory Proposal Development Training will open on August 8, 2008.

ANNOUNCEMENT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS #852P010

TITLE: Tobacco Use Prevention & Cessation Programs for Youth

EXPECTED ISSUE DATE: August 8, 2008

ISSUING AGENCY: Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation

PROPOSAL DUE DATE: October 8, 2008

Mandatory Proposal Development Training: September 3, 2008 – Blacksburg, VA
September 5, 2008 – Portsmouth, VA
September 8, 2008 – Richmond, VA
September 10, 2008 – Chantilly, VA

Visit http://www.vtsf.org/ August 8, 2008 to download a copy of RFP #852P010.
Email Eloise Burke at eburke@vtsf.org to have one mailed or emailed to you.

Center for Disease Control Report on Cigarette Use Among High School Students

Adapted from Tobacco Control Network

Cigarette use among high school students - United States, 1991–2007

Tobacco surveillance data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the decline in current tobacco use among youths seen between 1997 and 2003 has stagnated. “Current tobacco use” was defined as having smoked on at least one day during the month before the survey. After an increase in the prevalence of tobacco use from 1991-1997, tobacco use decreased from 36.4% in 1997 to 21.9% in 2003. Since 2003, tobacco use has remained steady. In order to achieve the 2010 national health objective of reducing current smoking among youths to 16% or less, the annual decline in smoking seen between 1997 and 2003 must resume. For this to happen, the CDC suggests full implementation of comprehensive prevention efforts, including countermarketing, excise tax increases, and school- and community-based policies and programs.

Click here to access the article and YRBS data in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Y Street Mini-Grants Applications Due July 31st

Applications for twelve $2,000 Y Street Mini-Grants have been rolling in, and will continue to be accepted until July 31st. Y Street is the youth-led advocacy brand that supports the VTSF’s marketing campaign and has over 2000 members statewide. The Y Street Mini-Grants will begin to be awarded this September.

To download the grant application or learn more, go to www.ystreet.org/grants.

Teen Smoking Declines in Face of High Prices

13.8% WOW! Can we get there in Virginia?

Source: Join Together Online (great free e-newsletter!)
http://www.jointogether.org/

New York teens are balking at spending $7 for a pack of cigarettes, according to the state Health Department which reported that the teen smoking rate has fallen to 13.8 percent.

The Albany Times Union reported July 2 that New York's teen smoking rate has fallen 58 percent since 1997, and has continued to decline even as smoking rates level off nationally. High cigarette prices, indoor smoking bans and a state-funded antismoking campaign are credited for the success.

New York now has the nation's second-toughest smoking laws behind Utah, the American Lung Association says.

Teens "are very sensitive to cost increases, as the cost goes up they will decrease the amount that they smoke and it prevents them from becoming regular smokers," said Judy Rightmyer of the Capitol District Tobacco-Free Coalition in Troy, N.Y. "It will also prevent them from trying cigarettes."