Supporting Veterans with Tools for Tobacco-Free Living

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, April 26^th (9 am - 12 pm)

VIRTUAL/ZOOM

LENGTH OF WORKSHOP: 3 Hours

CEs: 3

TRAINERS

Norilyn de la Peña, BS, CHES, CTTS

Public Health Seattle & King County - Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention - Cannabis, Tobacco & Vaping Prevention Program

Paul Caseley, MA

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs - Counseling & Wellness - Veterans Commercial Tobacco Cessation Program

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Providers (Direct & Non-direct) serving veterans, peer counselors.

DESCRIPTION

This interactive workshop will explore how smoking/vaping/chewing/and other tobacco/nicotine product-use impacts veterans and military families in WA state. Through a health equity and trauma-informed lens, we want to hear your voice, lived experience, knowledge, and ideas as we explore tools and evidenced-based strategies to use with clients when addressing tobacco/nicotine use. Additionally, we will provide an overview of the physical impacts of tobacco/nicotine use; the benefits of quitting; as well as available resources and treatment options, including new ones.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable cause of death and disease in the world. Individuals with military or veteran status are known to have higher tobacco-use rates than the general population, and more than a third of all active-duty smokers in the military start smoking after they join. Further, military members and their families have unique challenges and barriers to successfully quitting tobacco-use, such as frequent moves, deployment, and behavioral health issues linked to active military duty. These challenges and barriers often remain for individuals long after their transition from the military to civilian life – 18% of veterans registered with disabilities in WA state smoke, compared to 11.5% of the non-veteran population.

OBJECTIVES

By participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to know and understand:

•       How the military has historically been a target for tobacco/nicotine product marketing and advertising.

•       Why veteran tobacco use is a health disparity and social justice issue.

•       Current tobacco/nicotine products in the marketplace.

•       Physical impacts of tobacco/nicotine use and benefits of quitting!

•       How to use, best practice guidelines and evidence-based tobacco intervention strategies with veteran clients.

•       Available resources, referral, and treatment options.