Members of the B.O.L.D. Coalition's Teens Against Drug Abuse (TADA) planned and delivered a presentation to the Fall River Board of Health on the growing problem of smokeless tobacco products and a request for support of a ban on the sale of tobacco products in Fall River pharmacies. The December 2, 2010 presentation at Fall River Government Center resulted in passage of a motion to support the ban when the group presents the proposal to members of the City Council. Members of the group began by detailing the growing problem of teen use of smokeless tobacco products that are used without detection during school hours. Tobacco Control coordinator Marilyn Edge reported that while the rate of teen smoking has held to 16% statewide, the rate of smokeless tobacco products is 17.5%. These products can result in increased rates of cancer of the mouth, esophagus and stomach. The group hopes to make a presentation to the City Council in the first part of the new year. Click here for the WPRO radio broadcast news coverage of the project. Click here for a pictures of a survey that the group conducted recently.. Click here for photos of the TADA Sticker Shock project. For more information about TADA, contact SSTAR TADA advisor Lance Tehan at 508-235-2312. (Photos courtesy of Kellen Gonsalves)
 

(Top row, left) Fall River Director of Health and Human Service Henry Vaillancourt, M.D. talks with Board of Health members Daniel Sousa, M.D., chairman Tom Khoury, R.Ph., and David Weed, Psy.D. before the meeting begins. (Top row, center and right) TADA members Ryan Kennedy, Amber Valentin and Markus Watson talk together as Fall River Tobacco Control coordinator Marilyn Edge consults with TADA advisor Lance Tehan before the presentation. (Middle row) Board of Health members listen to the presentation on smokeless tobacco, samples of which are displayed for the Board. (Bottom row) TADA members request support from the Board members for a ban on cigarette sales in Fall River pharmacies.