Tobacco Harm Reduction Conference
On April 21, Community Access co-sponsored (along with CUNY) a Tobacco Harm Reduction Conference – the first time in the U.S. a conference has specifically addressed smoking among people with a psychiatric diagnosis. It was a resounding success!
Rates of smoking among people we work with at CA are much higher than the average population. And the health consequences are severe: due in large part to smoking-related illnesses, people who have anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar die on average 25 years earlier than those in the general public. How to reduce the harm of tobacco use is literally a matter of life and death.
Featuring internationally-renowned experts, our conference drew an eclectic mix of people: CA staff, vape shop owners, students, and staff from public health agencies. Wide-ranging and lively discussions focused on the connection between mental health issues and nicotine use – and covered nicotine replacement therapies, electronic cigarettes, vaping, and controversies around the use of e-cigarettes.
Kevin McGirr, RN and a professor at CUNY, got us underway with a closer look at harm reduction, generally, and tobacco harm reduction in particular. After he posed some intriguing questions, I was up next to introduce a new short film featuring interviews with CA residents who smoke:
Presentations:
Barriers to Using Replacement Therapies
By Dr. Shadi Chamany, NYC Dept. of Mental Health & Hygiene
If NYC were graded for how well it assists smokers to access nicotine replacement therapies, it would get an F.
By Dr. Riccardo Polosa, University of Catania
The findings of a major academic study: the challenges involved in helping people switch to electronic cigarettes – and the safety of these devices.
By Julie Woessner, president, Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives
A personal journey from heavy smoking to vaping enthusiast.
By Chris Russell, Ph.D., Tobacco and Nicotine Centre for Substance Use
How e-cigarette users can help one another. Their motto: "I’ve got your back, but I’m not on your back."
By Dr. Michael Siegel, Boston University School of Public Health
Debunking pseudo-science, and asking why the public health community opposes the use of e-cigarettes.
More Info:
- In the Poisonous Vaping Debate, Are Anti-Smoking Groups the New Big Tobacco?
Article in The Influence covering our conference - The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary
Blog by Dr. Michael Siegel
Feedback:
Here's a selection of comments received from conference attendees.
"I thoroughly enjoyed each presenter and was amazed at how much of the information I was clueless about. It left me motivated and charged to affect change within our Brooklyn programs, my school (Hunter’s Silberman School of Social Work), with personal friends and family."
- Tony Wright, CA staff member
"I appreciated the diversity of voices and the genuine respect and thoughtfulness exhibited by the organizers, presenters, and attendees... We need more conferences like this, which result in real conversations among stakeholders."
- Julie Woessner, CASAA
"Your video was powerful. I think it could be helpful in changing the course of the tobacco harm reduction conversation and helping policymakers to understand the individual perspective."
- Robyn Gougelet, Pinney Associates
"Each presenter added a unique dimension to the critical discussion about reducing the toll of cigarette smoking attributable to morbidity and mortality through harm reduction."
- Jennifer DiPiazza, Ph.D., Hunter College at CUNY
"On a personal note, I just want you to know how much your video affected me. It identifies very clearly exactly why we must continue to advocate for this industry to thrive."
- Sue Sindt, co-owner, Simply Vapour
Get Involved:
Our work on tobacco harm reduction continues - and we plan to build on the success of this first conference. Join the conversation + let us know what you think: below, leave a comment + connect with CA via social media.
