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Tobacco Use Prevention Program
Who We Are
The Kansas Tobacco Use Prevention Program (TUPP) provides resources and assistance to state and local partners for development, enhancement and evaluation of state and local initiatives to prevent death and disease from commercial tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Priority areas include:
- Preventing the initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults
- Supporting tobacco use and dependence treatment
- Eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol
- Address tobacco-related health inequities
"Commercial tobacco" refers to harmful products that are made and sold by tobacco companies. It does not include "traditional tobacco" used by Indigenous groups for religious or ceremonial purposes.
What We Do
TUPP strives to save lives by reducing tobacco use and its deadly toll in Kansas. Annually 900 Kansas children become new daily smokers and statewide health care expenditures related to smoking are estimated to top $1.12 billion.1 Every year 4,400 adult Kansans die from tobacco-related illnesses and tobacco-related issues including health care expenditures and lost productivity cost the state more than $2 billion annually.1
Science and experience have identified proven, cost-effective strategies. TUPP follows recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We know what works, and if the following strategies are fully implemented, the devastating effects tobacco on individuals, families and communities can be prevented.
Prevention Activities
- Implement media campaigns
- Adopt comprehensive tobacco-free policies on educational campuses
- Implement policies that make products less accessible and appealing
Highlight Treatment
- Expand availability of comprehensive insurance coverage for evidenced-based tobacco use treatment
- Adopt comprehensive tobacco-free policies at behavioral health facilities
- Integrate referral and treatment into routine clinical practice
- Promote to members and healthcare providers available tobacco dependence treatment services, such as counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy available through Medicaid to aid in quitting tobacco
Reduce Secondhand Smoke
- Support comprehensive tobacco-free housing and worksites policies
- Adopt comprehensive tobacco-free outdoor public spaces policies
Tobacco-Related Health Inequities
- Educate partners, disparately affected populations, and the public about historic inequities
- Provide assistance to guide partners in engaging with disparately affected populations
- Implement culturally sensitive initiatives and services that resonate with people disproportionately affected
Key Resources
- Adult Smoking Disparities in Kansas (PDF)
- CDC – Youth Risk Behaviors Portal
- Kansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
- Kansas Health Statistics
- Kansas Smoke-Free Indoor Clean Air Act
- Kansas Strategic Plan 2021-2025 (PDF)
- Kansas Strategic Plan Goals 2021-2025 (PDF)
- Maternal Smoking in Kansas (PDF)
- Youth Tobacco Use in Kansas (PDF)
- Youth Vaping and Mental Health in Kansas (PDF)
We Are Here to Help
Implementing evidence-based, environmental change in tobacco use can be achieved. We are here to provide you with the tools, resources, contacts, links and additional information that you may need.
If you are interested in learning more or supporting our program email Mende Barnett.
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Tobacco Use Prevention Program
Phone: 785-291-3742