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A6 FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025 INDIANAPOLIS RECORDERBy HANNA RAUWORTHhannar@indyrecorder.comYouth tobacco use in Indiana has dropped to its lowest level in two decades, according to the 2024 Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey (IYTS) released on June 24, 2025. The report highlights significant declines in both cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use among high school students, marking a milestone in public health efforts.E-cigarette use, which peaked at 18.5% in 2018, has plummeted to 5%, its lowest level since data collection began in 2012. Cigarette smoking has also seen a dramatic decrease, dropping from 31.6% in 2000 to its lowest point on record.%u201cWe are encouraged by the continued decline in youth tobacco and e-cigarette use, yet we remain vigilant in addressing nicotine addiction and the appeal of flavored products,%u201d said Lindsay Weaver, State Health Commissioner. %u201cI am thankful for the tobacco prevention team and many coalitions who have been addressing tobacco prevention for decades.%u201dOngoing concernsDespite these gains, the report reveals that challenges persist. Flavored tobacco products remain a significant draw for young users, with many reporting frequent use of e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches. The survey found that 46% of high school e-cigarette users reported vaping 20 or more days in the past month, a sign of dependence.Additionally, many Indiana youth who have never used tobacco are still at risk of future use. The survey revealed that approximately 1 in 4 youth who have never smoked cigarettes and 1 in 5 who have never used e-cigarettes are susceptible to trying them.%u201cComprehensive tobacco control programs remain essential to reducing youth tobacco use,%u201d said Miranda Spitznagle, director of Tobacco Prevention and Cessation at the Indiana Department of Health. %u201cBy working together %u2014 parents, schools, health care providers, and community organizations %u2014 we can continue protecting young Hoosiers from the harms of commercial tobacco products.%u201dYouth want to quitThe IYTS found that many youth want to quit tobacco. More than 70% of middle school users and over 50% of high school users reported attempting to quit in the past year. However, most tried to quit %u201ccold turkey%u201d without using cessation resources, underscoring the need for more support.Indiana offers free tobacco cessation resources for youth, including the Live Vape Free program, available at livevapefree.com. Young Hoosiers aged 13 and older can also access support through Quit Now Indiana by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or texting READY to 34191.Comprehensive approachThe IYTS is a biennial survey that collects data from Indiana public school students in grades 6%u201312. It tracks tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure, advertising impact, and cessation efforts, providing a comprehensive snapshot of youth tobacco behaviors across the state.As Indiana celebrates declining tobacco use among its youth, health leaders emphasize the importance of continued prevention and education efforts to address emerging risks and maintain progress.For more information, visit the Indiana Department of Health%u2019s tobacco control website at in.gov/health/tpc.This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis AfricanAmerican Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights.%u00a0https://iaaqli.org/Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.women, 18 years of age and older, and we are targeting women under 40 of any race or ethnicity, and that is because that is the tissue that researchers need,%u201d said Kathi%u00a0Ridley-Merriweather, communication and recruitment manager for Komen Tissue Bank.The drive is hosted by the%u00a0Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank, the only repository in the world for healthy breast tissue. Donors will provide a small tissue sample through a needle biopsy, along with a blood sample and health questionnaire. The process takes about 60 to 90 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia.For Rae McLean, who works for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the donation process was very simple.%u201cI remember that week. It was really cold outside and then for whatever reason that morning, the sun was out, so I just felt like that was a sign,%u201d McLean said. %u201cI remember pulling up to the tissue bank, walking down this long tunnel and I remember seeing someone%u2019s face at the end of the tunnel just smiling from ear to ear %u2026 They already knew my name and were excited for me to be there.%u201dMcLean said the process was smooth and professional %u2014 and more importantly, empowering. After losing her sister to breast cancer a few years ago, McLean felt that donating her breast tissue could help others like her sister, and to her, that meant the world.%u201cIt was just very important to help live on her legacy, help find a way to help other women because I couldn%u2019t help her through her process,%u201d McLean said. %u201cIt%u2019s bigger than me at this point. It%u2019s more so helping live her legacy on helping do something for my sister and her children and just helping the next generation of women who are not only maybe dealing with this, but who will in the future deal with this.%u201dAll-Star Cure follows the model of%u00a0Indy%u2019s Super Cure, a tissue collection held during Super Bowl XLVI week in 2012. That event yielded nearly 700 tissue donations, including a record percentage from African American and Latina women.Former Indiana Fever star and fourtime Olympic gold medalist%u00a0Tamika Catchings, who participated in Super Cure more than a decade ago, is once again lending her support as co-chair of the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee.%u201cIt%u2019s an incredible opportunity to make an impact beyond the court,%u201d Catchings said in a statement. %u201cI was proud to be part of this effort in 2012, and I%u2019m proud to help again in 2025.%u201dThe 2025 event is backed by partners including%u00a0Eli Lilly and Company, the%u00a0Catherine Peachey Fund and the%u00a0WNBA All-Star Host Committee.Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women worldwide. Yet despite advances in treatment, researchers say many critical questions remain %u2014 particularly when it comes to disparities in outcomes.The Komen Tissue Bank%u2019s work has already led to significant breakthroughs. IU researchers used previous donations to create the most comprehensive map to date of healthy breast tissue, revealing differences linked to genetic ancestry that may affect cancer development.To be eligible, participants must:%u2022 Be at least 18 years old.%u2022 Not have breast implants.%u2022 Not have a history of breast cancer.%u2022 Not be on blood thinners (except aspirin).%u2022 Not be allergic to local anesthetics.Organizers say the operation will run much like a %u201cmedical pop-up,%u201d requiring careful coordination to meet donation goals.By aligning with the WNBA All-Star Game, organizers hope to reach new audiences and encourage more people to think about how they can contribute to medical research.%u201cIt%u2019s so important to the Komen Tissue Bank for companies and groups like Pacers Sports and Entertainment to support us,%u201d Ridley-Merriweather said. %u201cIt gives us viability; it gives us a foundation.%u201dParticipants must%u00a0pre-register%u00a0for an appointment and will undergo a brief medical screening on-site. Appointments can be made online at komentissuebank.iu.edu%u00a0or by calling%u00a0866-763-0047.The All-Star Cure team is also seeking around%u00a0800 volunteers%u00a0to assist over the two-day event. Volunteer roles range from donor escorts and greeters to medical professionals who assist with screenings and biopsies.This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis AfricanAmerican Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights.%u00a0https://iaaqli.org/Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.Youth tobacco use hits record lows in IndianaCURE%u00a8Continued from A1Youth tobacco use in Indiana has dropped to the lowest level in 25 years. (Photo/Getty)