Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) today in Johnstown joined with Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties to announce a new $1.5 million five-year state grant they received from the NYS Health Department to support prevention and reduction of tobacco use through youth action and community engagement.

"While teen smoking rates are on the decline, we are seeing an alarming trend of young people vaping. We've made positive strides in educating young people about the negative health effects of smoking. Unfortunately, that's being offset with a spike in vaping, which has its own health concerns that we need to be mindful of. I want to thank Catholic Charities and all those involved with the Reality Check Program for their advocacy in educating young people about the dangers of tobacco use," said Senator Tedisco.