More than 650 youth advocates from the TRU (Tobacco Resistance Unit) will join adult advocates in Harrisburg in support of strong Tobacco 21 legislation that will protect Pennsylvania’s kids from a lifetime of addiction as well as the death and disease associated with tobacco products. In addition, urging support for preserving funding for lifesaving tobacco cessation, prevention programs, and services.
The rally is Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at noon at Soldiers Grove on Commonwealth Avenue in Harrisburg.
TRU is a movement throughout all of Pennsylvania to help youth, between ages 12 and 18, stay tobacco-free and aims to prevent and stop youth tobacco use through education. A statewide movement, TRU is managed by the Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco (PACT) and the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s funding for proven tobacco prevention and cessation programs falls woefully short of the $140 million recommended annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Governor’s budget proposed level funding at $16.975 million for FY20. These programs include prevention and cessation services.
The Tobacco 21 movement calls for policy change to raise the legal minimum sales age of tobacco and nicotine and tobacco products from 18 to 21. Twelve states and many other communities have enacted this change. For more information about the Tobacco 21 movement, please visit www.UpTheAge.com.
