Pennsylvania

Most tobacco prevention programs in Pennsylvania are failing, new report says

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2024

Most tobacco prevention programs in Pennsylvania are failing, new report says

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new report by the American Lung Association shows most tobacco prevention programs in Pennsylvania are failing

“People are still being exposed to cancerous toxins and materials, said Aimee VanCleave, Director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every five deaths in the U.S. is caused by tobacco.

Pennsylvania received three Fs and two Ds in the annual State of Tobacco report which focused on five categories including state funding for tobacco prevention programs and state taxes.

“We’ve seen proven polices that show that if you tax tobacco products at certain rates, it acts as a deterrent,” VanCleave said.

The American Lung Association says that more money designation for prevention could help decrease healthcare funding and reach more people in rural communities and youth.

The organization believes taking flavored tobacco products off the market is paramount to that mission.

“When we’re looking at things like Razzle Berry Pop there’s no question that’s marketed towards children,” VanCleave said.

Pennsylvania also got a D in access to treatments and smoke-free air in workplaces, which is an ongoing discussion at the State Capitol.

“There are no policies right now in Pennsylvania that say you shouldn’t use electronic products indoors,” VanCleave said. “We have an opportunity in the legislature to change that.

The American Lung Association says it is a chance to closed Clean Indoor Air Act loopholes.

“15,000 people who are employed in casinos across the Commonwealth who are breathing secondhand smoke in their workplaces – we have an opportunity to change that for them too,” VanCleave said.

You can read more about House Hill 1657, which aims to amend the Clean Indoor Air Act, by clicking here.

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Pennsylvania

State College, Pennsylvania: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Published

9 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

State College, Pennsylvania: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

In rural Pennsylvania, State College houses Penn State against a backdrop of beautiful country scenery. The university hosts many events, arts performances, and lively festivals that give the town year-round excitement that blends student life with local charm. Visitors can attend a football game, explore nearby parks and trails, and savor the town’s growing culinary scene of pubs and local eateries.

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Pennsylvania

What the war with Iran could mean for gas prices in western Pennsylvania

Published

21 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

What the war with Iran could mean for gas prices in western Pennsylvania

The war with Iran could start impacting your wallet as soon as today.

Jim Garrity from AAA East Central says oil prices are up.

“They’re hovering around $72. They were pretty consistently around $65, $66 for a while,” he said.

Nationally, AAA said the average for a gallon of regular sits at about $3, up approximately six cents from last week.

In Pennsylvania, it’s around $3.12 a gallon, and in the Pittsburgh region, it’s around $3.24 a gallon. That’s actually down about four cents from last week.

Garrity added that gas prices this time of year would already be increasing, usually because of higher demand for the warmer months and the production of the summer blend of gas used for those months.

The impacts of what’s happening in Iran may not be immediate, which could be part of why our region and the state overall have not seen a spike yet, he said.

“It could be a couple of days later. It could be up to a week later,” Garrity said.

A lot of people are watching what happens with the Strait of Hormuz. Iran borders it to the north, and 20% of the world’s oil goes through it.

Iran is one of the world’s biggest oil producers, and China gets a lot of that oil.

“If there is an impact there, you could see oil start to come in from other parts of the world, which has a downstream effect on [the United States],” Garrity said.

One way you can save on gas if prices increase in our area is by slowing down.

“When you drive faster every five miles, over 50 miles an hour, your fuel efficiency is going down,” Garrity said. “You’re making the car work harder, making the gasoline consumption less effective.”

Garrity added that in 2022, when our area and many others saw some of the highest gas prices ever recorded, people changed their driving habits.

“We saw people make seemingly permanent changes to their driving behaviors, driving less in general, consolidating trips,” he said.

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Pennsylvania

Iran vows revenge after the killing of its top leader

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran vows revenge after the killing of its top leader

With energy affordability and reliability dominating headlines, state lawmakers peppered Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley about the administration’s strategy to speed the addition of new power sources to the electric grid. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee asked Thursday about the administration’s plans to ensure Pennsylvanians’ lights stay on as the commonwealth courts tech […]

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