The state is seeking project proposals to help curb tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure among 18-24 year olds.
The Department of Health and Hospitals’ Tobacco Control Program will fund three $30,000 grants to organizations for projects that target the age group.

Interested organizations must submit a letter of intent by April 22 and grant applications are due May 23.

Proposed projects should address tobacco-related disparities such as prevalence of tobacco use, second-hand smoke exposure, relapse rates, access to prevention and cessation programs and tobacco industry marketing.
According to Gerrelda Davis, Interim Director of the Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health, the funds are specifically aimed at developing community-based interventions for young people entering the workforce or vocational, community and trade schools.

“It is important to address tobacco prevention and cessation among this age group because these young people are particularly vulnerable tobacco industry marketing,” stated Davis in a press release. “Currently, 28 percent of these young people are smokers and more than 30 percent are uninsured. This means that they have limited access to health care and tobacco cessation interventions.”

Eligible project types include those that create partnerships that sustain and maximize funding to address tobacco disparities. Projects that educate community leaders and organizations about tobacco disparities are eligible, as well as projects that aid grassroots networks in developing marketing campaigns to increase awareness of tobacco disparities.

The grant funds will be distributed in three different regions of the state based on the applicant’s description of the impact of tobacco on the target population.