Texas moves to close loophole on hemp-derived THC products
The Texas House of Representatives voted this week to ban the sale of intoxicating "hemp" products throughout the state, closing the loophole on unregulated THC products. The bill is expected to be signed into law by the Governor. Research by Dr. Matthew Rossheim, which was considered during [More]
Findings from the Retail Alcohol Data (RAD) collaborative
The flavoring, packaging, pricing, and marketing of ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages are especially appealing to young people and can lead to risky drinking behaviors. These RTD beverages are often inexpensive, high in alcohol by volume (ABV), and sold in large single containers. In addition, these products are [More]
North Carolina’s Health Equity Impact Assessment reports
The Mecklenburg County Public Health (North Carolina) Tobacco Prevention and Control Team partnered with Counter Tools to publish a Health Equity Impact Assessment report that examines the implications of tobacco retail policies in North Carolina, specifically Tobacco 21 and a tobacco retail permitting system. The report was [More]
The Surge of Illegal E-cigarettes: How Can We Respond?
E-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, are electronic devices that heat liquid and produce aerosol. These devices are the most popular commercial tobacco product among youth, typically contain nicotine, and come in several enticing flavors including candy, fruit, and menthol, making them highly addictive and dangerous. Findings from the 2024 [More]
Congratulations to our RAD collaborative
Congratulations to the 39 coalitions and agencies across 16 states that have been selected to participate in the Retail Alcohol Data (RAD) collaborative! The following coalitions and agencies will collect local data in early 2025 on the availability, pricing, and marketing of alcoholic beverages that are especially [More]
The Evolving Alcohol Market: Tools for Coalition Advocacy
This month, Dr. Matt Rossheim of the University of North Texas Health Science Center and Executive Director Maria Julian presented on CADCA's latest Research Into Action webinar. This webinar examined recent changes in the alcohol market that pose risks, especially to youth, and introduced a free, user-friendly retail surveillance [More]
Meet us at APHA!
Our Counter Tools executive director is presenting and moderating sessions with the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug program at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo in Minneapolis this week. Come say hello! Day in the Life of an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs [More]
We’re hiring a systems analyst!
Counter Tools invites applications for a Systems Analyst position. The Systems Analyst will be responsible for assisting with product management of all internal and external technology solutions. This role will spend 75% time on Systems Analysis tasks and up to 25% time on Project Management tasks. If you [More]
Apply to join the Retail Alcohol Data (RAD) Collaborative
Counter Tools, in partnership with researchers from the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), is excited to announce our upcoming Retail Alcohol Data (RAD) Collaborative. The RAD Collaborative is for community coalitions, local or state alcohol policy alliances, local or state health departments, and other [More]
Introducing our new brand identity and website
Counter Tools is excited to announce the launch of our new brand identity as part of the ongoing evolution of our work. We have updated our logo and other brand elements to better reflect who we are. Inspired by both a compass and a star, our new [More]
Meet our newest team member: Kyndra Minchew, project director
Kyndra Minchew is a Project Director at Counter Tools and is fueled by her passion for creating health equity for all populations. Learn more about Kyndra’s background in her staff profile below: Tell us a little bit about your background before you came to Counter Tools. I grew [More]
Meet our newest team member: Jacob Delbridge, Project Director
Jacob was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Upon attending the University of California, Davis and interning in Sacramento for a non-profit dedicated to commercial tobacco prevention and control, he continued to pursue an academic and professional focus in public health policy. From university [More]
Webinar recording on derived psychoactive cannabis products
Derived psychoactive cannabis products (DPCPs) have rapidly become available in retail outlets across the U.S. since the 2018 U.S. Agriculture Improvement Act (also known as the Farm Bill) implicitly legalized the product and sale of these products. DPCPs are regulated as “hemp”; there are currently no federal regulations [More]
Derived psychoactive cannabis products in the retail environment
Derived Psychoactive Cannabis Products (DPCPs) refer to a wide range of products with psychoactive properties similar to cannabis that are chemically created, rather than grown. Despite the public health risks, many states have only recently begun efforts to regulate the sale of the DPCPs that have saturated [More]
We’re hiring a new project director!
Counter Tools invites applications for a Project Director position. The Project Director provides timely and high-quality project management, training, and technical assistance to Counter Tools client-partners working to advance place-based public health. Their national perspective and expertise strengthens Counter Tools’ position as a trusted thought leader and advances [More]
Tobacco Retailers Contracting with Big Tobacco
Tobacco retailers that contract with Big Tobacco companies are required to post “corrective statements” between now and June 30, 2025. This is a long-awaited result of a 2006 federal court case ruling in which major tobacco companies were found guilty of racketeering for deliberately misleading the public about the health risks of [More]
New partnerships taking flight
We are excited to partner in new ways with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to support MDH in working toward its vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy. After partnering with MDH [More]
Delaying the rules to end menthol cigarettes will continue to cost lives
Yesterday the Biden administration announced that it will delay issuing the rules to eliminate menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars until March 2024 at the earliest. Nearly two years ago, the FDA announced a proposed rule to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes, as well as [More]
Updated Report: Tobacco Companies and Convenience Stores Partner to Hook Kids, Fight Life-Saving Policies
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has released an updated version of the report Deadly Alliance: How Big Tobacco and Convenience Stores Partner to Hook Kids and Fight Life-Saving Policies in partnership with the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC), American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart [More]
CounterTobacco.org’s 12th Annual Point-of-Sale Tobacco Marketing Photo Contest
CounterTobacco.org’s 12th Annual Point-of-Sale Tobacco Marketing Photo Contest is here! Each year we host this contest to showcase what’s happening in the tobacco retail environment all across the country. These images are crucial to educating the public, educating policymakers, and furthering the success of state and local tobacco control efforts that [More]
