Breathe Easy Workgroup
Underage Nicotine & Cannabis Prevention Workgroup
The Breathe Easy Workgroup focuses on underage cannabis and nicotine prevention. Meetings occur monthly on the 1st Thursday. Meetings are offered in a hybrid format;
participants have the option to join virtually via Zoom or in person.
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Upcoming Meetings: October 16, November 6, December 4
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The workgroup meets the first Thursday each month, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in our office with a virtual Zoom option.​
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To Get Involved Reach Out To-
Kathy Hanley khanley@wctcoalition.org
Chelsea Kapitancek ckapitancek@wctcoalition.org​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
What is the Breathe Easy Workgroup? The Breathe Easy Workgroup is Western CT Coalition’s grassroots workgroup that focuses on underage cannabis and nicotine prevention. The meeting is facilitated by the program managers for each respective topic, and occurs on the 3 Thursday of the month from 11:00am to 12:30pm; participants have the option to join via Zoom, or to join in-person at the Western CT Coalition office.
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Why are nicotine and cannabis being grouped together? Given the parallel nature of cannabis and nicotine prevention, Western CT Coalition offers one meeting to address both substances in order to make the meeting more efficient, more robust, and less siloed!
Do I need any special experience to join the Breathe Easy Workgroup? No - all are encouraged to join! Anyone can participate, the only requirement is an interest in learning about and taking part in cannabis or nicotine prevention efforts.
What sorts of items are on the agenda? The Breathe Easy Workgroup focuses on group brainstorming opportunities, education, capacity building, networking, and special focuses. (e.g. The Great American Smokeout, hemp-derived THC products, retailer engagement, school-based prevention efforts, etc.)
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Vaping Prevention, Awareness and Cessation Supports:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
2025 - 2026 Goals
Assess regional impact of underage use of nicotine, and available resources using surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews
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WCTC staff devoted to this focus including collaboration between Nicotine and Cannabis Prevention Program Managers
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Disseminate materials at community and campus events, through social media and our webpage
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Provide education across the region
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Build relationships with retailers to educate and improve compliance
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Engage with local government and advocate for local zoning regulations of smoke shops
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Cannabis Prevention and Awareness: 2024 - 2025 Goals
Conduct a region wide assessment of current statistics, impact of cannabis use, access to cannabis, regional risk factors that contribute to youth cannabis use, and available resources
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Build capacity among staff, community members, and stakeholders, including professional development opportunities, data walks, and the latest information on the impact of cannabis use within Region 5
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Disseminate materials and share information, including the Be In The Know campaign, at community and campus events, through social media presence, and by engaging with community partners
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Provide education for various sectors, including educators, cannabis retailers, community partners, youth, and parents
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Build relationships with retailers to promote best practices and the importance of preventing youth access
Tobacco 21 & Retailer Compliance
It is now a federal law- you must be 21 to purchase any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Tobacco 21 materials can be ordered for free from the CT Clearinghouse. For a retailer visit checklist, click here.
DMHAS Prevention and Health Promotion Division Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP)
HOT LINE: 1-877-331-1999
Tobacco.prevention@ct.gov
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​To look up registered ENDS dealers in CT, click here, choose "drug control-pharmacy, pharmacisits" from the roster menu, click "dealers of ENDS, vapor products", scroll to the bottom to continue, then download.