WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The CVS Health
Foundation, a private foundation created by CVS Health (NYSE: CVS),
today announced the first four grant recipients in its "Making the
Next Generation Tobacco-Free" grant program – a five-year,
$5 million partnership with the
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. This announcement coincides with
Kick Butts Day, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' national day of
activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and mobilize
their communities. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is a leading
force in the fight to reduce tobacco use and its deadly toll in
the United States and around the
world.
"We're excited to celebrate Kick Butts Day by showing our
commitment to helping young people lead tobacco-free lives in
partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids," said
Eileen Howard Boone, President of
the CVS Health Foundation. "We are proud to support the dedicated
work of these grantees who share our goal to educate young people
about the dangers of tobacco in the hopes of making the next
generation tobacco-free."
Every day, more than 2,800 kids under the age of 18 nationwide
try smoking for the first time, and 2.7 million high school
students in the United States
still smoke. Through the "Making the Next Generation Tobacco-Free"
grant program, the CVS Health Foundation and Campaign for
Tobacco-Free Kids aim to reduce youth tobacco use, especially among
at-risk populations, educate the public about the problem of and
solutions to youth tobacco use in local communities and increase
youth engagement in tobacco prevention activities. The first group
of 2015 grants awarded today includes:
BREATHE California of
Los Angeles County,
Los Angeles,
CA
BREATHE California plans to reach approximately 8,000
third- to eighth-grade students throughout Los Angeles County as part of the "No to
Tobacco" prevention program, which focuses on underserved
populations. The program includes educational modules on lung
health, the cost of tobacco, and providing youth with the
confidence and skills they need to lead a tobacco-free life.
California School-Based Health Alliance, Oakland, CA
California
School-Based Health Alliance will increase the capacity of
school-based health centers (SBHC) to implement youth-led tobacco
prevention programs and educate kids throughout California. Currently, 10.5 percent of high
school students in California
smoke and 21,300 kids under the age of 18 become daily smokers each
year. With this grant, California School-Based Health Alliance
plans to provide training for SBHC staff and reach 2,000 youth with
tobacco-prevention education.
Health Promotion Council of Southeastern PA, Philadelphia, PA
Health
Promotion Council of Southeastern PA plans to expand its Advocacy
Institute (AI), which provides training for youth-led public health
advocacy. The expansion will bring the AI into additional counties
in southeastern Pennsylvania,
increase membership in the AI Alumni Network and allow the council
to host a Youth Leadership Summit that will train additional youth
on tobacco prevention and control.
Ohio Public Health Partnership, Columbus,
OH
Ohio Public Health Partnership (OPHP) plans to
educate lawmakers and the public to support an increase in the
Ohio tobacco tax, equalize the tax
on other tobacco products and designate 12
cents of every $1.00 of the
proposed tax increase for tobacco use prevention and cessation. In
Ohio, 15.1 percent of high school
students smoke and an additional 12,500 kids under the age of 18
become daily smokers each year. To help resolve this issue, OPHP
will implement tobacco-prevention and cessation programs that
target youth, pregnant women and other high-priority
individuals.
"We know that most adult smokers began smoking at a very young
age. Through our partnership with the CVS Health Foundation, we're
one step closer to our shared mission to make the next generation
tobacco-free," said Matthew L.
Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "With the
support of these grants, community partners will be able to expand
the tobacco prevention resources they're able to offer local youth
and activate youth to reduce tobacco-use."
Last year, CVS Health announced that all CVS/pharmacy locations
across the country would stop selling tobacco products and launched
a smoking cessation program that has since helped more than 67,000
patients quit smoking. In addition, since the company's tobacco
announcement, CVS Health has announced more than $1 million in grants to tobacco cessation
organizations and launched a 5-year, $5
million partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
through the CVS Health Foundation.
About CVS Health
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a
pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better
health. Through our 7,800 retail pharmacies, more than 900 walk-in
medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 65
million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, we
enable people, businesses and communities to manage health in more
affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases
access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers
overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS
Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contacts:
Erin
Shields Britt, CVS Health
(401) 770-9237
Erin.Britt@cvscaremark.com
Eva Pereira, for CVS
Health
(781) 559-0424
eva.pereira@rfbinder.com
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SOURCE CVS Health Foundation