Advancing Tobacco Free Communities staff Deyanira Cisneros and Linda Wegner met with New York State Senator James Seward in Schoharie recently to discuss tobacco use issues and tobacco-free initiatives.

Despite comprehensive smoke-free policies, high federal and state taxes and powerful media campaigns, tobacco remains the primary cause of preventable death in New York State, claiming between 26,000 and 28,200 lives annually. Senator Seward serves on the New York State Senate Health Committee. He was dismayed to learn that the more tobacco marketing kids see, the more likely they are to smoke. He pledged his support of protecting youth from tobacco marketing in stores.