Skip to: Site menu | Main content

More Nevadans, per capita, use tobacco than any other state in the nation. NTPC is educating Nevadans about the dangers of tobacco use and second hand smoke. OUR GOAL: An end to the death and suffering caused by tobacco use.

FEATURED MEMBER


Dr. Chris A. Pritsos

Professor, Chairman Department of Nutrition, University of Nevada, Reno
Graduate faculty: Environmental Sciences and Health Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology Program, Nutrition Program.


Dr. Pritsos was trained as a biochemist in the area of cancer biochemistry and oxidative stress.   Originally trained at the University of Nevada, Reno and Yale University, Comprehensive Cancer Center, his work focused on cancer chemotherapy and the mechanism of action of anticancer drugs.   Upon returning to UNR, he continued his cancer research but also became interested in the health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace.   Dr. Pritsos has worked on several SHS related studies over the past 12 years including looking at the health effects of second hand smoke exposure on casino workers and looking at how SHS exposure impacts children with asthma and adults with coronary heart disease.   His goal is to provide scientific evidence to support and effect changes in Nevada and the U.S. laws which will protect children and adults from SHS.   Dr. Pritsos just recently received funding to study whether currently used air filtration systems offer any real protection from SHS toxicity, using an animal model. This will guide some of his work over the next few years.

Dr. Pritsos says that his association with NTPC over the years has been greatly rewarding and allowed him to become so much more aware of the important issues and challenges we face in effecting change and protecting the health of Nevadans.   He says this association has allowed him to better understand what needs to be done and to focus some of his research efforts in this direction.

Dr. Pritsos's comprehensive study looking at the smoking rates of gamblers in Nevada has just been published in TOBACCO CONTROL.    Click here to read the article -   Smoking rates among gamblers at Nevada casinos mirror US smoking rate

COALITION MEMBERS



"The coalition is not the single voice of tobacco control in Nevada.  It is many voices speaking together."


American Cancer Society

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

Barbara Greenspun Women's Care Center

Darlene Bates

BEST Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free Nevada

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada

California Rural Indian Health Board Tobacco Education & Prevention

Carson City Health & Human Services

Cancer Centers of Nevada

Churchill Community Coalition

Clark County Medical Society Alliance

Richard Dix, MD, JD

Healthy Communities Coalition

High Sierra Area Health Education Center

KEEN TV 17

Mad Science of Las Vegas

March of Dimes - Nevada Chapter

National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service

Nevada Cancer Institute

Nevada HealthLinks

Nevada Public Health Foundation

Nevada State Cancer Council

Nevada State Health Division

Nevada State Medical Association

Nevada Tobacco Users Helpline

P.A.C.E. Coalition

Partnership of Community Resources

Robert Peterson, PhD

Pyramid Lake Tribal Health Services

Reno - Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Health Center

Saint Mary's Foundation

Sierra Health Services/HPN

Smoke-Free Gaming of Nevada

Southern Nevada AHEC

Southern Nevada Health District

Take On Your Health - Juice Plus

Tar Wars

Tobacco Free Babies Project®/NTPC

UNLV Department of Counselor Education

University Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNR

University of Nevada School of Dental Medicine - Crackdown on Cancer

Urban Fuel & XPOZ

Washoe County District Health Department

Washoe County Tobacco Prevention Coalition

Lisa Newton-Wilson