Campus News

'Behind the Blue': Observing ‘World No Tobacco Day’ With UK BREATHE Collaborative's Ellen Hahn

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 31, 2022) — On Tuesday, May 31st, the World Health Organization (WHO) will observe "World No Tobacco Day." The purpose of this yearly celebration is to provide information to the public regarding the dangers of tobacco use, as well as shine a light on the business practices of tobacco companies, what the WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people can do for themselves and their families to live a healthier, tobacco-free lifestyle.

Ellen Hahn, Ph.D., is a professor in the University of Kentucky Colleges of Nursing and Public Health and director of BREATHE (Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments), a multidisciplinary research, outreach, and practice collaborative of the College of Nursing and its partners. BREATHE’s vision is that all people will have access to clean air and live in healthy environments.

With more than 80 organizational community partners, BREATHE is a clearinghouse for information, research and analysis, and policy development, as well as community education and outreach related to smoke- and tobacco-free policies, tobacco health disparities, electronic smoking devices, tobacco prevention and treatment, and radon reduction. These programs include the Tobacco Policy Research Program, the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy (KCSP), and the Radon Policy Research Program.

Hahn also serves as director of UK-CARES (Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences). On this episode of "Behind the Blue," Hahn talks about the significance of World No Tobacco Day, the work of the BREATHE collaborative, how it’s never too late for communities and their members to go smoke-free, and more.

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