JCC’s Reality Check Teens Meet with Elected Officials and a Student Receives Regional Award.

by Ashley Zanatta

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in New York State; 28,200 lives are lost due to tobacco dependence every year.

New York State (NYS) Tobacco Control Programs (TCP) have been proven to reduce youth smoking and help current smokers quit, which saves lives and millions of state tax dollars. However, higher rates of smoking persist among individuals with less than a high school education (22.4%), income less than $25,000 a year (22.2%) and those with poor mental health (27.2%).

We’ve made great strides in combating the tobacco epidemic, but more work needs to be done to reduce the significantly higher smoking rates among disparate populations in our region and throughout the state.

That’s the message Reality Check youth of Tobacco-Free Staten Island housed at the Jewish Community Center delivered to state lawmakers in Albany on February 7. Participating in the legislative visits were: Rachel Ishyaguyev, Jay Carbone, Colette Piscopo, Christopher Becker, Caitlin Vazquez, Evan Loukas, Sydnie Rosenfeld, Isaac Snitkoff, Kallie Spiegel, Amanda Gulino, Giavanna Corazza and Sophia Tovpeko

Annually, the group visits the New York State Capitol to educate lawmakers about the success of established tobacco control programs and opportunities to further reduce the burden of tobacco addiction on New Yorkers. They described the valuable work being done in Staten Island to reduce smoking rates and to keep youth from starting smoking, which begins at 13 years old, on average.

The NYS Tobacco Control Program is made up of a network of statewide contractors who live and work in the communities they serve. These are Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities which includes Community Engagement and Reality Check programs, Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free New York and the NYS Smokers’ Quitline.

The New York State Tobacco Control Program uses a policy-driven, population based approach designed to prevent youth from smoking and to motivate adult smokers to quit. The efforts are leading the way toward a tobacco-free society. For more information, visit TobaccoFreeNYS.org

Tobacco-Free Staten Island (TFSI) strives to change the social norm regarding tobacco by de-normalizing and de-glamorizing tobacco, tobacco use and the tobacco industry.

Together we can make a difference.

Giavanna Corazza, 16 received the MARO regional Youth Advocate of the Year is honored by Senator Andrew Lanza on February 7th in Albany, NY.

Reality Check teens are honored with certificate of appreciation from William R. Matarazzo: Director of Operations from Senator Lanza’s office for the work they are doing to reduce the burden of tobacco on Staten Island.

Teens from Reality Check of Staten Island, NY concluded a day in Albany after meetings with Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblyman Matthew Titone, Assemblywoman Malliotakis, Senator Andrew Lanza, John Turoski: Chief of Staff from Senator Lanza’s office, William R. Matarazzo: Director of Operations from Senator Lanza’s office and Peter Rakowsky: Legislative Aide from Senator Diane Savino’s office.

Reality Check teens meet with, John Turoski: Chief of Staff from Senator Lanza’s office, and Peter Rakowsky: Legislative Aide from Senator Diane Savino’s office to discuss the work they are doing on Staten Island to address the sale of tobacco in pharmacies and how tobacco marketing contributes to youth initiation.