CVS Health looks to 'Kick Butts' with latest support of smoking cessation campaigns
The CVS Health Foundation on Wednesday announced the second round of grants awarded in partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids through the "Making the Next Generation Tobacco-Free" grant program. The new grants are part of #BeTheFirst, CVS Health's $50 million, five-year initiative to help deliver the nation's first tobacco-free generation, and extend the company's commitment to help people lead tobacco-free lives.
The announcement of a new group of grantees coincides with Kick Butts Day, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids' national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and mobilize their communities in fighting tobacco use. In partnership with Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, CVS Health Foundation has committed $5 million in grants over five years to nonprofit organizations that are committed to educating young people about the dangers of tobacco.
"In just one year, we've seen great progress from our grantees awarded through our partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids," said Eileen Howard Boone, president CVS Health Foundation. "We're proud to provide support to organizations that are helping to empower youth to speak out on tobacco issues in their communities. By working together, we can help deliver the first tobacco-free generation."
"We know that 95% of adult smokers start smoking before age 21. As a result of the grants offered through the CVS Health Foundation, our community partners are able to expand tobacco prevention resources and encourage youth that don't use tobacco to ever start," said Matthew Myers, president, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "We share a very important goal with the CVS Health Foundation – making the next generation tobacco-free – and are very thankful for their continued support."
To continue its support of tobacco-free living and move one step closer to the first tobacco-free generation, the CVS Health Foundation announced seven new grantees, which include:
Southeastern (Connecticut) Regional Action Council, in support of training high school youth to administer a statewide education program to elementary and middle school youth;
New Jersey Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy, in support of expanding its reach to serve more communities;
Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center, in support of addressing youth tobacco use through a musician mentorship program;
North Carolina Alliance for Health, in support of building a network of trained youth and adult leaders who actively support efforts to reduce the impact of tobacco use;
National Association of School Nurses, in support of a program that will educate at-risk youth and their families in low-income communities on the risks of e-cigarettes;
Arizona UMOM New Day Centers, in support of a teen activity program that will provide intervention programming and interactive workshops; and
Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership, in support of integrating tobacco prevention training and activities into existing direct service mentoring programs for elementary and middle school aged youth.