The
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
May/June 2001
Note: This publication has been individually transmitted to state tobacco program managers, ASTHO affiliates, and other tobacco prevention professionals. You are encouraged to forward all or part of this publication to STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS, COALITION MEMBERS, LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS and OTHER PARTNERS. The Tobacco Free Press is produced by ASTHO under Cooperative Agreement N.U50/CCU306138-07 with the CDC Office on Smoking andHealth. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS:
Gilbert Town Council unanimously passed a restaurant smoking ban on May 1, 2001. Bars and patios are exempt and smoking sections must be separated from non-smoking sections by 15 feet or more. Restaurants that seat less than 90, are 1,100 square feet or smaller, or find it impractical to separate smoking and eating areas can qualify for hardship exemption. They have 120 days to apply for the exemption. No new restaurants can apply.
For more information, contact Southeast Valley Tobacco Use
Prevention Program at 480-820-0345.
Kentucky
As part of its mission to educate people about the risks of secondhand smoke, the Tobacco Prevention Coalition of Northern Kentucky launched a campaign to promote smoke-free restaurants. Student designed decals were placed at the entrances of smoke-free establishments. In addition, a recent survey by the University of Kentucky
College of Nursing found that 86 percent of Kentuckians said a total ban on smoking in restaurants would not change how often they ate out.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department
of Public Health launched a new anti-smoking media campaign addressing
secondhand smoke. The 6-week campaign features authentic, documentary style
interviews with local scientists dealing with chemicals found in
cigarettes. Independent filmmaker
Michael Moore interviews the scientists, who are genuinely surprised to find
that the hazardous chemicals they work with daily under regulated conditions
are found in secondhand smoke. The
commercials, targeted at the general public, convey the absurdity that toxic
chemicals are highly regulated in industrial settings but not in tobacco
products.
For more information, contact Sandi Hammond, Communications Director,
Massachusetts Tobacco Control program, 617-624-5417.
The town of Sandwich, Massachusetts approved a petition article that would ban smoking in bars, health care facilities, indoor public places, public transportation, restaurants, retail stores and workplaces. Certain exemptions will be made, for example, in retail tobacco stores. The ban will take effect on July 1, 2001 or when approved by the state attorney general. Violators will be penalized on a graduated scale with $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $200 for third and subsequent violations. The towns of Bourne and Nantucket also passed the same bylaw. Bourne’s ban is effective on July 1, 2001 and Nantucket is effective August 1, 2001. Additionally, the town of Plymouth passed a similar bylaw at its town meeting, which will be effective August 1, 2001. The towns on Martha's Vineyard have all adopted Board of Health regulations banning smoking as well.
For more information on the Sandwich ordinance, contact Bob Collet at bcollett@cape.com.
Minnesota
Fueled by public support for the Duluth smoke-free
ordinance, the city council voted to do away with the problematic aspects of
the ordinance and to strengthen the ordinance instead of repealing it. The Duluth City Council voted 6 to 3 on May 29th,
2001 to end business hardship exemptions and give police authority to
cite restaurant owners who allow smoking.
The new provisions ban smoking in bars after 8pm and require bowling
alleys, pool halls, and restaurants that have exemptions or built sealed-off
smoking sections to become smoke-free by April 2003. Mayor Doty signed the ordinance into law, which takes effect 30
days after the signing.
For more information, contact Holly Ziemer, Minnesota Smokefree Coalition, 651-641-1223 or Mike Maguire, Communication Coordinator, Tobacco Control and Prevention, 651-284-3831.
New York
The Rochester Board of Health approved a smoking ban affecting all public places, including hallways, elevators, entranceways, stairwells, restrooms and waiting areas. The ban does not include restaurants or recreational areas. Currently, restaurants with smoking sections must be completely separated from nonsmoking areas and must be separately ventilated. The Recreation Department has current regulations banning smoking.
A section of New York City’s Bryant Park became a voluntary smoke-free zone the last week of May 2001. This is the first park in New York City to make such a move. The park is city-owned and managed by the not-for-profit Bryant Park Restoration Corp. Mayor Giuliani supports the ban because it is voluntary.
Nevada
Two Las Vegas casinos, the Bellagio and Mirage, banned smoking in their poker rooms at the end of May 2001. The ban was instituted after positive feedback from a trial ban.
Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health’s Tobacco Risk Reduction Program held its fourth annual “Eat, Breathe and Dine Smoke-free” Campaign on May 10th, 2001. Local tobacco coalitions, health departments, and other partners within the state of Ohio came together to promote smoke-free dining within their county. 124 restaurants went smoke-free for one day last year and the numbers are expected to rise this year. The campaign allows patrons to fill out cards to tell management whether the restaurant should become smoke-free permanently and how they generally feel about smoke-free dining. Since the program’s inception, 29 restaurants have become smoke-free. A survey revealed that 76 percent of the managers agreed that the campaign was a success and 76 percent of the public were glad to see the restaurants participate.
For more information, contact Tracy Clopton, Ohio Department of Health, tclopton@gw.odh.state.oh.us.
The Toledo-Lucas County Board of Health voted 7 to 1 for a ban on smoking in restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls and hotels at the end of May 2001. It is the first county in the state to entirely ban smoking in restaurants and bars. The ban goes into effect on July 10, 2001. A group of frustrated restaurant and bar owners have formed a group to counter the ban called Committee for Public Rights.
Pennsylvania
The Coalition for a Smoke-Free Valley launched an education campaign on the health consequences of ETS in May 2001. The Keep Us Healthy Campaign targets parents through television and bus advertisements. Health-care providers will be trained on how to instruct parents about the dangers of ETS.
Texas
On
June 14, 2001, the Lubbock City Council voted 4 to 3 to ban smoking in most
public places including restaurants, stores, offices, banks, and coin-operated
laundries. Bars and sports bars are
exempt. Restaurants that buy a $200 annual permit are exempt, for a maximum
three-year exemption. Restaurants may
also have a designated smoking area with an enclosed room and separate
ventilation. Violators would be fined $2000. The Lubbock Restaurant Association was the
strongest organized opposition group.
The ordinance must be passed again at a June 26, 2001 council meeting to
become law.
West Virginia
The Boards of Health in Harrison and Preston counties both voted unanimously to ban smoking in most public places including offices, retail stores and restaurants. Bars are exempt from the ban. In Harrison County, restaurants may designate a separate smoking area of up to 20 percent of the seating capacity. The smoking section must be separated in the restaurant by a wall and have separate ventilation.
Out of 55 counties, West Virginia now has 45 which are covered by clean indoor air (CIA) regulations and many regulations already on the books are being upgraded to further limit smoking, especially in restaurants. A new project has begun, coordinated by a board of health sanitarian, to target the uncovered counties, advise on strengthening current regulations and facilitate better enforcement.
For more information, contact West Virginia Tobacco Prevention Program at 304-558-1562.
Wisconsin
The Neenah Common Council voted 8 to 1 to ban smoking in restaurants. Smoking sections must have separate ventilation systems. Restaurants with bars and taverns, which are defined as having 50 percent or more of their revenue come from alcoholic beverages, are exempt. The ordinance includes a hardship clause exempting restaurants that can demonstrate a loss of business as a result of the ban. This clause will last for three years. The ban goes into effect on October 1, 2001.
New resources on Hispanics and women have been
posted on the Onyx Group’s Web site.
Materials include tobacco industry documents from RJ Reynolds on
marketing to Hispanics and a one-page fact sheet on tobacco industry tactics
used to target Hispanics. Also Charyn
D. Sutton, president of The Onyx Group, has developed a new workshop
presentation entitled, “Status, Stigma,
Stress & Size: An In-depth Look at Women and Cigarettes.”
It was initially delivered at a state tobacco prevention and control conference
in Birmingham, AL on April 7, 2001.
For more information, visit http://www.onyx-group.com/
New Jersey
The NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) launched a media campaign targeting multicultural communities at the African American Heritage Festival and Parade on May 25-28, 2001 in Newark, NJ. The “Who Cares If You Quit Smoking” campaign features images of babies of varying ethnic backgrounds, promotional information about New Jersey’s free cessation services and highlights the need to quit smoking for the sake of the family. Youth from REBEL (Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies), NJ’s grassroots youth anti-tobacco movement, managed the float and booth at the festival and parade. The media campaign is funded by the MSA.
Cavities and ETS
Dr. Andrew Aligne and colleagues at the University
of Rochester Strong Children’s Research Center released a study finding that
children whose parents smoke are almost twice as likely to have baby teeth with
cavities as children with non-smoking parents.
Data was gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey (NHANES), which includes a measure for cotinine levels, a marker of
ETS. In comparing cotinine levels,
researchers found that the more smoke exposure a child is subjected to, the
more cavities they tend to have. Researchers controlled for many variables,
including age, sex, race, region, dental visits, nutritional status and blood
lead levels. The American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry calls for additional studies to verify the relation of ETS
and cavities.
For more information, contact Travis Anderson, Strong Children’s Research Center, at 716-273-1757.
New Group for Youth Prevention
A new group, My Mind and Bodi, based in Texas is launching a nationwide youth prevention campaign on August 4, 2001. Their goal is to get one million parents/adults to spend time with a youth discussing the effects of smoking. The effort is parent- driven and the campaign thrives on donations from parents and a t-shirt sale. Parents and youth that purchase the t-shirts with a “no-smoking” logo are entered into a contest to win prizes such a $500 check and tickets to Six Flags.
For more information, visit http://www.mymindandbodi.com/ or contact Sandra Lowe at 254-518-6514 .
Colorado
Colorado Governor Bill Owens signed a law banning the sale of single cigarettes and packs of less than 20 cigarettes.
In addition, Colorado held its first Youth Tobacco Summit at the end of April 2001. The 120 participants from 23 different youth coalitions strategized on ways to address youth tobacco use by sharing results of their coalitions’ community needs assessment. The youth also examined the tobacco industry’s influence at both the state and local level. The 23 youth coalitions each received a $2,000 planning grant from the state health department, with 16 grants funded with an American Legacy Foundation grant and 7 grants funded with MSA dollars.
For more information concerning the Youth Tobacco Summit, contact Jill Conley at 303-692-2526.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Public Health
sponsored a three-day youth summit, called The Real Deal. The result of 150
participating youth between the ages of 13-17, was the formation of STATIC - Students Teaching Against Tobacco in
Connecticut. As Connecticut’s first
statewide campaign to prevent youth smoking, STATIC planned a number of
projects for the coming year, including enforcement for illegal sales of
tobacco to minors.
In late April 2001, the
Connecticut state Supreme Court ruled 5 to 2 that the town of Orange could
impose an outright ban on cigarette vending machines under its municipal police
powers to protect the health of its citizens.
This is a victory for tobacco control advocates in the fight against
preemption and has great implications for communities all over the state. The New Haven-based Modern Cigarette vending
company brought on the suit by challenging a 1998 local ban. According to Connecticut Attorney General
Richard Blumenthal, “This historic ruling empowers our municipalities to stop cigarette
sellers from targeting children through one of the easiest means of access. The
ruling sends a powerful message: any town can take more stringent steps to
protect its children against beginning lifetimes of addiction and disease.
Vending machines are age blind, and defy and discourage enforcement of laws
barring cigarette sales to minors."
In addition, the Board of
Aldermen in the town of Milford passed an ordinance that bans the sale of
cigarettes from vending machines at Milford establishments unless the machines
are equipped with a "lock-out" device. The original proposal called for a total ban
on cigarette vending machines.
For more information on the vending machine court case, contact Attorney General Blumenthal’s office at 860-808-5318.
Florida
Youth from SWAT, a youth-led anti-tobacco advocacy group organized by the Florida Department of Health, held a press conference in June 2001 to release research results from a study they sponsored on global tobacco advertising trends. The youth found that over 62 percent of teenagers in various countries on three continents -- Europe, Asia and South America -- have been exposed to some form of tobacco advertising in their country in the last week. SWAT youth also shared examples they have collected on global marketing from teens around the world, along with video reports from teens from several countries. Thousands of postcards with personal messages to Big Tobacco from outraged Florida youth will be sent off and a list of demands about global marketing practices will be presented to the tobacco companies.
For more information on SWAT and the Teen Tobacco Summit 4, call 1-877-GEN-SWAT or go to http://www.nosmoking.fsu.edu/teensummit/index.html
Illinois
First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan, along with the Department of Public Health and State Board of Education, hosted elementary school kids in a mock press conference on the dangers of secondhand smoke in the beginning of May 2001.
Teens in Illinois’ Winnebago County formed a youth-led anti-tobacco movement, called I Decide. Led by teens, I Decide’s goal is to educate their peers on the health effects of tobacco use and tobacco companies’ deceptive advertising and marketing practices. Through the efforts of the advisory panel and other I Decide members from throughout the county, in less than a year, the teens have helped to create a radio, television, mass transit and billboard advertising campaign; established a Web site www.idecide4me.com; wrote and distributed thousands of newsletters; advocated for smoke‑free restaurants and other public places; participated in events to spread the word about the effort; and hosted educational presentations for 1,800 students. About 1,500 teens from Winnebago County have registered as members of I Decide and receive regular mailings and information about the movement. The $3.85 million I Decide campaign was funded during the past year by Illinois' share of the settlement. The youth program will be expanded to additional areas in the state in 2002.
For
more information, contact Conny Moody,
MBA, Chief, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control,
cmoody@idph.state.il.us
Iowa
The Iowa Department of Health and youth tobacco prevention group, Just Eliminate Lies (JEL), launched a hard-hitting media campaign at the end of April 2001. The ads target the tobacco industry and also feature youth from JEL delivering the grim statistics of the effects of smoking. The billboard campaign entitled “Chew,” emphasizing the effects of spit tobacco, can be seen on 140 billboards across western and central Iowa. Billboard messages feature a lipless cancer patient with the slogans, “Going without dip is hard, going without a lip is harder” and “In a recent survey, girls preferred guys with lips." The ads are funded with settlement dollars.
To view the ads, go to http://www.jeliowa.org/news/ads.html
Kentucky
The Kentucky Department of
Public Health in partnership with the University of Kentucky College of
Nursing, released results from the first statewide YTS. Kentucky youth exceeded the national average
for current cigarette use. Twenty-two
percent of Kentucky middle school youth, compared to 9 percent nationally, and
37 percent of Kentucky high school students, compared to 29 percent nationally,
reported they smoked cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days. Kentucky middle and high school students are
twice as likely to be established smokers than compared to the nation as a
whole. Kentucky's legislators
and Governor Patton agreed that "it is time to get serious about youth
smoking in Kentucky" and for the first time appropriated funds from the
MSA for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation programs.
To read the report, go to http://publichealth.state.ky.us/tobacco-KY-Youth-survey-2000.htm or contact Linda Dunne, Program Manager for Tobacco Control, at Linda.Dunne@mail.state.ky.us.
Louisiana
The Louisiana Games is a statewide sports organization committed to the development of amateur sports and the athletes who participate in them. As a part of its mission to serve the residents of Louisiana, the organization uses a comprehensive sports marketing program, Youth Against Tobacco, to prevent tobacco use by children. The goal of the program is to have youth examine the truth about tobacco and to take control of their own lives and decisions, armed with this information. Youth Against Tobacco is promoted at all Louisiana Games events and is test-marketed on television and radio in the New Orleans area at present.
For more information, contact Amber Brown, Program Director, at abrown@gnosf.org.
Minnesota
April 2, 2001 was the first year anniversary of Target Market, a youth-led movement of Minnesota youth taking on Big Tobacco. Born in April 2000 with 400 youth at the “Kick Ash Bash” youth summit, Target Market exceeded expectations by growing from 400 in 2000 to over 20,000 in its first year! Target Market crews work throughout the state to get out the word about industry manipulation and Minnesota’s edgy counter-marketing campaign documents their activities.
For more information, contact Mike Maguire, Communication Coordinator, Tobacco Prevention & Control
Section, at 651-284-3831.
Nevada
Nevada held its first youth tobacco prevention summit, “Kick Ash Bash,” at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Clark County Health District created the youth-driven organization XPOZ (pronounced “Expose” and sponsored the summit, both of which focus on teaching teenagers the dangers of tobacco use. Yes Duffy of MTV participated in the summit and presented a graffiti mural that he created.
Tennessee
The first annual Tennessee Tobacco Youth Summit was held on April 27,
2001. Over 270 students and 50
sponsors, including health educators, teachers and parents, from across the
state participated. Chuck Wolfe was the keynote speaker. The one-day summit was
filled with music including tobacco prevention rap songs, dance groups and
drama presentations. Breakout sessions addressing tobacco-free school policies,
ETS, partnerships and media were presented in a revolving format both in the
morning and afternoon so everyone could attend. The day ended with the youth choosing a statewide
name/logo. After narrowing down choices
from 35 to the final 3, the youth voted on their favorite. "Life, Liberty or Tobacco" or
"LLOT" was the youth's choice. The youth stated that this name lets
people know that you can choose your life, your freedom or tobacco addiction.
For more information, contact Joan
Sartin, Tobacco Control Director, at jsartin@mail.state.tn.us.
Utah
The Utah Department of Health had its highest
participation rate for its fourth annual “Truth From Youth” anti-tobacco
advertising contest this past May. More
than 11,000 students submitted 7,075 original anti-tobacco radio, TV and
billboard ads, which is 3,000 more than last year. One hundred advertising and
health experts judged the competition, which involved 180 Utah schools. The winning ads will be aired or displayed
starting in June 2001, as part of the Truth About Tobacco statewide
campaign. Winners were honored at an
awards party with cash prizes, trophies and the opportunity to help produce
their own ads.
For more information, contact Lena Dibble, Tobacco Prevention Specialist, Utah Department of Health,
at 801-538-6917.
West Virginia
West Virginia Governor Bob Wise signed a law banning the sale, importation and distribution of bidis. Violators could be fined up to $500 on the first offense and $1,000 to $5,000 per offense on subsequent convictions. West Virginia is now among only a handful of states that has such a ban. The law is effective July 13, 2001.
For more information, contact West Virginia Tobacco Prevention Program at 304-558-1562.
The New York State Health Department announced that more than $2.4 million in state grants will fund 14 community-based organizations, medical and health associations, and healthcare providers statewide to promote cessation. The programs will target youth, pregnant women and other at-risk populations for participation in proven cessation programs. Grantees will provide training and technical assistance to cessation programs in other geographic areas of the state and coordinate with and involve physicians, clinics, hospitals, family planning clinics, local tobacco coalitions, local heart, lung and cancer organizations, local health and social service departments and youth services organizations in smoking cessation initiatives.
South Carolina
HMO Blue, a
managed healthcare subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina,
will start to cover two smoking cessation products under a pilot project “Your
1st Place for Healthy Lungs”. This represents an expansion of the
pilot program, which currently covers Zyban.
With a doctor’s prescription and authorization from HMO Blue, members
can receive a two-week supply of Nicorette gum or NicoDerm CQ patches with a
$10 copayment.
For more
information, contact Elizabeth Nkuo at
803-264-3972 or Elizabeth.Nkuo@bcbssc.com.
Utah
The Utah
Department of Health (UDOH) promoted cessation to pregnant women on Mother’s
Day through the second annual “Clear the Air for Mother’s Day.” UDOH representatives presented new moms at
LDS hospital with baby T-shirts imprinted with the slogan “No Smoking, Baby
Breathing.” Expectant mothers who call
the Tobacco Free Resource Line for information on cessation receive a T-shirt
and free quit kit with information on local resources for mothers and pregnant
women who want to quit.
Dr. Scott
Williams, MPH, UDOH Deputy Director, released new data from “Kiss the Marlboro
Man Goodbye,” a recent survey of prenatal health care providers concerning
their clinical practice and caring for pregnant women who smoke. Results found that 90 percent of providers
reported that they always ask if their patients smoke, while 74 percent
reported that they ask if their pregnant patients smoke at each visit either
until they quit or each visit even after quitting to check for relapse. Forty-five percent of providers refer
patients to smoking cessation programs and 65 percent discuss the risks of secondhand
smoke with patients.
For more
information, contact Lena Dibble, Tobacco
Program Specialist, Utah Department of Health, 801-538-6917.
West Virginia
One out of every nine West Virginians has health insurance coverage through the self-insured Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). Recognizing that there were high rates of smoking among those subscribers, PEIA made policy changes to promote tobacco cessation, including the development of a cessation “quit line”. This telephone counseling service called YNOTQUIT, has received over 26,000 calls, reaching about 3 out of every 5 tobacco users. Callers have the choice of receiving literature only, or enrolling in the five-session phone counseling program with trained counselors. Pregnant smokers are given the highest priority in reimbursement for pharmaceuticals and in counseling. The quit rate, depending on length of time in the cessation program, ranges from 15% to 26% measured at 6 months of quitting. PEIA is adjusting its policies to promote even more use of cessation services, including differential premiums and pharmaceutical reimbursement. The Medicaid Program in West Virginia has joined with PEIA in offering this quit line service to its population and is also experiencing moderate success. The quit line will soon be expanded to include the uninsured population. The WV Tobacco Prevention Program consulted with PEIA in their policy changes to promote cessation.
For more information, contact the West Virginia Tobacco Prevention Program at 304-558-1562.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Tobacco Control
Board and the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention at the University of
Wisconsin Medical School launched a statewide, toll-free quitline the first
week of May 2001. The Wisconsin Tobacco
Quit Line, contracted through the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, runs
6 days a week. Operators speak English
and Spanish, and translators are available for other languages. The Quit Line provides smokers with
individualized counseling sessions and a Quit Kit with practical, science-based
information. Follow-up counseling is
available for Quit Line callers. The
Quit Line’s annual operating cost is approximately $1.3 million. The Board's goal is to reduce tobacco use by
20 percent by 2005.
For more information, contact David Gundersen at 608-267-0944.
OTHER NEWS
Industry News - ALERTS
Star Scientific
Inc., a small tobacco company based in Chester, Virginia, will be consumer
testing Ariva, a mint-flavored lozenge consisting mainly of powdered tobacco. The consumer testing will take place in
Dallas and Richmond in late summer or early fall 2001. The product is called a “cigalette” to make
clear it’s relation to cigarettes. Paul Perito, the company’s chairman, said
that Ariva is for “adult smokers who want an alternative to cigarettes in the
many smoke-free environments they confront on a daily basis.” Brown and Williamson signed an agreement to
sell Ariva under its own brand name and pay royalties to Star Scientific
Inc.
In other news,
Vector Group Ltd., parent company of cigarette maker Liggett Group Inc.,
announced its plans to produce virtually nicotine-free cigarettes, Omni
Nicotine-Free, in a new Roxboro, North Carolina plant in early 2002. The company agreed to allow state
agricultural officials to study its nicotine-free tobacco. This move is in response to legislation that
was withdrawn by state representative Dewey Hill, who proposed a bill banning
nicotine-free cigarette production in the state for fear of hurting exports of
tobacco. At the American Medical Association's (AMA) Annual
Tobacco Caucus June19, 2001, Bennett LeBow, president of Vector Group, will
discuss the "safer cigarette” and debate with Kenneth Warner, who will
discuss harm reduction in tobacco control from the perspective of the health
community.
Also, Phillip Morris (PM) is
promoting grants for youth in summer programs, afterschool programs and hunger
relief. PM is offering up to $25,000 in
awards for programs focusing on youth from age 10 through high school age, with an emphasis
on the 10-14 age group. The California
State Tobacco Related Disease Research Projects (TRDRP) dedicated all the
articles in their March 2001 newsletter on the implications of the
tobacco-industry sponsored research.
For more information on
Phillip Morris grants, go to http://www.philipmorrisusa.com/DisplayPageWithTopic.asp?ID=71
For TRDRP’s newsletter,
go to http://www.ucop.edu/srphome/trdrp/nslttr301.pdf
Finally, a
racketeering lawsuit was filed in federal court against Big Tobacco for
illegally targeting youth with advertising and marketing. Lawyers Johnnie Cochran and Michael Hausfeld
are heading up the case.
New FDA legislation
Representative Tom
Davis (R-VA) has introduced H.R. 2180, “The National Youth Smoking Reduction
Act,”
regarding FDA authority over
tobacco products. The bill has 14
cosponsors, including 3 Democrats. The
ENACT coalition, a group of 50 national organizations dedicated to pursuing federal policies to
reduce the death and disease caused by tobacco use, believes the bill causes
more harm than good and does little to protect the public’s health. It includes loopholes that will prevent FDA
from requiring the tobacco companies to reduce the harm their products cause.
The ENACT coalition does support bipartisan legislation H.R. 1097 and H.R. 1043, introduced by Representatives Ganske, Dingell and Waxman, to provide the FDA with meaningful authority to regulate tobacco.
2001 Youth Advocate of the Year Awards
Each year the
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids honors young people who have made outstanding
contributions to tobacco prevention.
Winners were honored at a gala event in Washington, DC and also received
educational scholarships and grants to continue their good work. The honored youth will also serve as
ambassadors for the Campaign. This
year’s winners are:
National Shannon Brewer, Spokane,
WA
East
Region Cynthia Loesch,
Boston, MA
South
Region Terra Gearhart,
Albuquerque, NM
Central
Region Andrew Goedeken, Ames,
IA
West
Region Marion Poole,
Logan, UT
Group Student Coalition
Against Tobacco (SCAT), Ocean City, NJ
For more information, go to http://tobaccofreekids.org/Script/DisplayPressRelease.php3?Display=363
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
The
second round of formal negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control, the world's first international treaty on tobacco, ended in the
beginning of May 2001 in Geneva. The
U.S. delegation has taken steps to weaken the draft convention by ELIMINATING
the following provisions:
·
Prohibit
use of the terms such “low tar”, “light” and “mild” to market tobacco products
·
Prohibit
tax-free and duty-free sales of cigarettes
·
License
tobacco retailers as an effective way to enforce youth access laws
·
Encourage
governments to ban smoking in workplaces and public buildings
For
more information, contact Patti Lynn,
Infact, 617-695-2525.
Florida
Florida officials lifted a four-year ban on the purchase of tobacco stocks for the state government’s $100 billion pension fund.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island
The Rhode Island
Department of Health and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health joined
forces in launching the first joint state anti-tobacco media initiative. The campaign themes included 1) Adult Quit
Smoking 2) Secondhand Smoke, and 3) Industry Manipulation. The joint buy included television and radio
ads on channels that have spill over in each state. The campaigns reached out
to diverse racial and ethnic media to reach traditional and non-traditional
markets. Carol Hall-Walker, Manager of
Media & Communications, RI Dept. of Health said, "Even the media
outlets commented on the effectiveness, efficiency and powerful look of a joint
state anti-tobacco media buy."
For more information, contact Carol Hall-Walker, Program Manager for Media
& Communications,
Tobacco Control Program, at hallwalker@hotmail.com.
Minnesota
On May 30th, 2001 the Minnesota
Department of Health and Weber Shandwick Worldwide Inc. were awarded a Gold
SABRE for social marketing achievements in branding and reputation associated
with the state’s tobacco counter-marketing effort. The first-place award was
sponsored by the Holmes Report, a leading trade publication in the Public
Relations community, and affirms Minnesota’s counter-marketing direction. Last year’s winner in the same category was
the American Legacy Foundation “Truth” campaign.
For more information, contact Mike Maguire, Communication Coordinator, Tobacco Prevention &
Control Section, at 651-284-3831.
Missouri
HB 381, which both the Missouri Senate and House, makes changes to statutes concerning the sale of tobacco products. It bans the sale and distribution of “gray market cigarettes” and gives the Division of Liquor Control authority to enforce laws related to the control and sale of tobacco. This bill also requires vending machines to be equipped with a device that disables them until unlocked by a sales person.
For
more information, contact Lori Buchanan, Bureau of Health Promotion,
Missouri Dept. of Health, at buchal@mail.health.state.mo.us or 573-522-2832.
Texas
Scripps Howard Data Center in Austin, TX conducted a poll of Texas smokers and found that 92 percent of them claim they would not start smoking again if they had to do it over again. Results found that in the past year more than 50 percent of Texas smokers tried to quit and that 12 percent t