Dear Editor,

Did you know the tobacco industry spends nearly one million dollars per hour in the United States trying to attract new buyers? The Breathe Well Coalition is working to change that.

Members of Breathe Well, previously known as the Kosciusko Tobacco Free Coalition, work to reduce the smoking rates in adults and youth by empowering them to choose healthy habits. Currently, 20 percent of residents in Kosciusko County smoke, which is six percentage points above the national average. Unfortunately, one in five smokers in Kosciusko County contribute to the high rates of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease in the community. Recently, the team collected tobacco marketing data from retailers across Kosciusko County. They visited over 80 locations that sell tobacco products in the community including convenience stores, gas stations, pharmacies and big-box stores.

Two major changes were found in comparing the data collected from 2020 to 2022. First, there was an increase in the number of retailers selling flavored tobacco. Flavored tobacco products are made with youth in mind. Though the flavors may seem attractive and harmless, most vapes include synthetic nicotine to keep the user constantly wanting more. The industry does this to ensure they have consumers for the next 50 years. Second, the product and ad placement at a child’s eye level almost doubled since 2020. Is this what we want the next generation to be immersed in?

Parents can learn how to talk to their child or teen about the dangers of vaping and find resources for quitting for all ages at Livewellkosciusko.org/breathe-well-kosciusko

The Breathe Well Coalition will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sep 27, at the K21 Foundation building, Winona Lake. Or if you would like to jump onto a Zoom call, we can do a hybrid meeting. If you are interested, please email [email protected]

Kim Huntsman
Warsaw