The Smoking & Health Action Coalition (SHAC) is a community partnership of the New York State Tobacco Control Program, held by the American Lung Association.
Proudly serving Livingston and Monroe Counties. The Smoking and Health Action Coalition (SHAC) of Livingston and Monroe Counties is 1 of 25 grants across NYS that is funded through the State's Department of Health Tobacco Control Program. SHAC focuses on a number of tobacco control initiatives in our catchment areas; tobacco free outdoors, smoke free multi-unit housing, point of sale. We are also proud to have a youth action component to our program called Reality Check.
07/15/2025
"It was now easy to find vapes that have 20,000 puffs of ni****ne — an amount rivaling 100 packs of ci******es."
Just How Harmful Is Va**ng? More Evidence Is Emerging. (Gift Article) A new study that found high levels of heavy metals in popular ni****ne vapes adds to concerns about the products.
07/14/2025
The chemicals cigarette butts are leaching into N.Y. waterways Research scientists at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center found carcinogenic materials from cigarette butts release into water in one day.
07/14/2025
Our SHAC team spent Friday morning cleaning up to***co litter along the Lake Ontario shoreline — and here’s why it matters:
🚭Cigarette butts are toxic waste: Each one contains chemicals like ni****ne, arsenic, and lead that leach into soil and water.
🌊Water pollution: A single butt can contaminate up to 500 liters of water — harming the health of our local waterways.
🐦Wildlife danger: Birds, fish, and other animals often mistake butts for food, which can lead to choking, poisoning, or death.
🧪Long-lasting plastic: Filters are made of plastic and can take up to 10 years to break down, turning into harmful microplastics.
Let’s keep Charlotte Beach clean and safe for everyone — wildlife and humans alike! 💙
To***coFreeNYS
Monroe County Parks Department
07/09/2025
What a great opportunity!
Commit to being smoke-free or vape-free for the first 25 days in August. You could win $2,500 or one of ten $250 prizes! Learn more and enter to win, visit nysmokefree.com/contest
07/09/2025
SHAC wanted to share with you all the newly released NYS Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity brief.
Specifically, that e-cigarette and cigarette use are significantly higher among LGBQ and transgender adults in New York State compared to those not identifying as LGBTQIA+. Transgender individuals reported the highest rates, with 14.2% using e-ci******es and 16.8% smoking ci******es. These findings highlight disparities in substance use, particularly ni****ne and to***co, within LGBTQIA+ communities.
To***coFreeNYS
Reality Check
06/06/2025
Reality Check Lead, Lindsey, and Community Engagement Lead, Lindsay, attended the Town of Irondequoit Irondequoit Farmers Market last night for PRIDE night 🏳️🌈
They provided resources and education on the disproportionate impacts of smoking and to***co advertising on the LGBTQ+ community.
To***coFreeNYS
04/15/2025
SHAC Staff & Reality Check Youth from the Western Region gathered in Niagara Falls for Youth Summit.
It was a great trip- impactful presentations, meaningful conversations, and the hope of a to***co free future.
To***coFreeNYS
To***co Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes (TACFL)
RC Jon Chaffee
To***co-Free CCA
To***co-Free Western New York
04/08/2025
Reality Check youth, Megan, addressed the Zoning Board of Appeals last night, educating on the dangers of to***co marketing.
THANK YOU to the Town of Irondequoit for upholding its to***co retail zoning policy and prioritizing the health and safety of our community—especially our youth.
By denying a special use permit to a business seeking to operate within 1,000 feet of a youth-centered location and within 750 feet of another to***co retailer, the Town has demonstrated a strong commitment to responsible planning and public health. These policies are in place for a reason: to reduce youth exposure to to***co and va**ng products and to prevent over-saturation of such retailers in our neighborhoods.
To***coFreeNYS
Eastridge High School
03/31/2025
🚨 Irondequoit Residents: Your Voice Matters! 🚨
A to***co retailer is applying for an **exemption** from our local law to operate **less than 1,000 feet** from a youth-centered location and **within 750 feet** of another retailer. This law exists to protect our community—especially our youth—from the harmful effects of to***co products.
📅 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
🗓 April 7th at 7:00 PM
📍 Irondequoit Town Hall, 1280 Titus Avenue
This is **our chance** to speak up and ensure our local laws are upheld. If you care about keeping our town’s regulations strong and protecting public health, please attend this meeting and make your voice heard!
Share this post and spread the word! 💙
To***coFreeNYS
Eastridge High School
West Irondequoit High School
Uplift Irondequoit
Irondequoit Rotary
02/13/2025
SHAC traveled to the New York State Capitol yesterday for Legislative Education Day with four students from Monroe County to meet with state legislators. The group had productive discussions with four representatives, focusing on youth to***co prevention and the dangers of va**ng and ni****ne. Senator Samra Brouk highlighted the visit on her social media, commending "this talented group of students from Eastridge High School/Smoking and Health Action Coalition" for their candid conversation on strategies to reduce youth access to harmful to***co products.
It was a successful day, and we are so proud of our Reality Check youth for sharing their stories!
To***coFreeNYS
Reality Check
Young Women's College Prep Charter School of Rochester (YWCP)
Eastridge High School