Leland L. Fairbanks, MD, Pres
ACAS
This past year saw several significant events taking place. For example:
-- May 1, 2007 was the implementation and enforcement date for the Smoke-Free Arizona Proposition 201 Voter Initiative passed on November 7, 2006. --The Coalition For Tobacco Free Arizona (CTFA) held a very meaningful educational statewide "Best of the West" conference in Sept 2007 with Dr Richard H. Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General as Keynote Speaker. Dr Carmona was also recognized by CTFA for the tremendous positive public health impact extending around the world from his release of: "The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke" - A Report of the Surgeon General (2006). Other individuals and organizations with key roles in the passage of the Smoke-Free Arizona Initiative were given special recognition as also were leaders behind the passage of Smoke-Free laws in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. (continued on page 2, column 1)
The National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH) is coming to Phoenix, June 10-12th, 2009.
the National Conference in Minneapolis, MN Oct 2007
Dr. Richard H. Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General is joining with ACAS in offering strong support for the SNTEPP Commercial Tobacco Control Project on the Navajo Reservation. More information will be available here.
US Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Association Annual Meeting will be held in Tucson in June 2008. Dr. Richard H. Carmona will have a prominent role. ACAS has submitted an abstract to be considered for the conference.
Page 2—Photos from displays at SADD Conference, Great American Smoke-Out, & Dr. Alan Blum cartoon
Page 3 —Smoking in Cars with Children, Don Morris
Other smoke-free events and news
Listserv information-Karen Zielaski
Page 4—New ACAS website information
Defiant Bar Owner Relents…
”customers now say the ban is not that bad.”
HB2483 - Legislation requiring fire safe cigarettes has been introduced in the Arizona State Legislature. Please contact your representatives to support HB2483. You can get more information on this topic at: www.firesafecigarettes.org (primary sponsor, John McComish)
HB2001 - Smoking in Vehicle with Minors. Sponsored by Shapira (Primary) and Thrasher (Co-Sponsor). Protect children from second-hand smoke in cars. Please contact your representatives to support House Bill 2001.
Information on contacting your legislators:
www.arizonansconcernedaboutsmoking.com
Native American blessing performed at the Great American Smoke-Out at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center, Nov 2007
SADD Student Leaders from High Schools throughout
Arizona attending the Statewide SADD
Conference at the Mesa Convention Center, Sept 2007.
Pat and Don Morris with Dr. Alan Blum at the
Minneapolis NCTOH Conference, Oct 2007.
One of Dr. Alan Blum’s many cartoons featured
at the NCTOH Conference in MN, Oct 2007.
Regarding “A law we don’t need” (Editorial, Dec. 4): “Smoking in the car with children is irresponsible. ….Secondhand smoke is undeniably bad for kids’ health,” Very true. Environmental tobacco smoke, particularly from the lit ends of cigarettes, is bad for all! In releasing his 2006 report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said “Secondhand smoke harms every cell in every organ of the human body period.” The 2007 report, Children and Secondhand Smoke Exposure states: “Today, massive conclusive scientific evidence documents serious health risks secondhand smoke poses to children.” It calls for establishing a “completely smoke-free home” and warns that “vehicles can also be a significant source of secondhand smoke exposure for children.” Basic parental rights? Yes. Privacy hiding child abuse? The Republic regularly reports on child-abuse cases. The above reports cite asthma, respiratory infections, middle ear, and many more diseases, including “increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome.” By existing law, child abuse is criminal whether in public or private. Working all my life in education and child health, including stints with UNICEF and Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, from which I recently retired. But as long as God gives me strength to speak defending our children, I will do so. As for you still smoking, you have the right to harm yourself, but no right to harm others, not
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Don Morris, Phoenix
Dear Friends who still smoke, regarding the above letter from The Arizona Republic, 12-15-07.
You already know you should quit. You know it hurts your health and takes several years off your lives and lives of spouses and loved ones and that toxic smoke from the lit end of cigarettes is especially harmful to children! Many smokers caring about loved ones really want to quit, but put it off until a “better time”. That better time is yesterday. But for those you love and who love you it’s today, especially for children most vulnerable to toxic tobacco smoke in vehicles and homes! For help quitting now contact ACAS, Inc. and/or The www.betobaccofree.org
To learn ways to help support Arizona Tobacco Policy and Advocacy Listserv, please contact:
Karen Zielaski, Project Director, Healthy Policies,
Telephone: 520-290-0032,
Email: healthypolicies@ earthlink.net
Endorse smoke-free casinos: The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) is sponsoring a resolution to ask that all gaming facilities across America go smoke-free. This resolution, lead by President William Oberle of Delaware will be voted on June 13, 2008 at their next annual meeting in California. Public input is invited.
ACAS attends September State-wide SADD Convention in Mesa Arizona
On Wednesday September 26th, several ACAS representatives provided a display for the Arizona State 2007 SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) convention in Mesa Arizona at the Mesa Convention Center. Student delegates from High Schools throughout Arizona attended this annual convention sponsored by SADD. In addition to other health care advocacy groups ACAS provided numerous pamphlets and stickers regarding the dangers of second-hand smoke and smokeless tobacco to the student delegates in attendance during their lunch break.
Do your part and report violations of the Smoke-Free Arizona Law at:
1-877-4-AZNOSMOKE
(1-877-429-6676)
-or-
http://www.smokefreearizona.org
/reporting.asp
———————————
Smoking Cessation Helpline for Help in Quitting:
The Arizona Smokers’ Helpline (“ASH”) funded by the state provides free one-on-one telephone coaching, discounts on nicotine patches, other medications and referrals to county group-counseling programs. Call-1-800-556-6222 or visit www.ashline.org.
(From The Arizona Republic, Tuesday January 29, 2008) —Bar Owner to pay smoking fine—Amanda J Crawford. A Phoenix bar owner who claimed to have found a loophole in the state’s indoor smoking ban has conceded defeat, agreeing to pay the state a fine of $10,000 for violating the law. Alfonso Larriva waged a court challenge after he became the first
We are extremely proud of our new web site for ACAS developed by Rick Johnson, Web Master Extraordinaire….. The NEW ACAS web site’s address is: www.arizonansconcernedabout smoking.com and will replace the previous ACAS website. Yahoo! will be the domain sponsor. Several new features will be noted on the new website including Home, noting our Mission and our Work. The Home section will also note Help to Quit Smoking, how to report smoke free violations and how to contribute to ACAS. Additionally, Contact Links to Arizona State Legislative Senate and House Members are noted. The Projects section will note our Projects and Priorities. Also noted is City Ordinance examples, such as Mesa’s in 1996 and Tempe’s in 2002. Other worthy clean air dates in Arizona are noted as well as the historic State of Arizona’s Proposition 201 ordinance passed on November 7, 2006. Section Then and Now will note our History and recent achievements. The Officers section notes our Founders, Officers and Trustees as well as Advisory Board members. Also noted are links for assistance to
Here is my tax deductible contribution to ACAS of:
[ ]$25 [ ]$50 [ ]$100 [ ]$500 [ ]$1,000 [ ]Other $________________
Name _______________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________
City ______________________________ State ______ Zip ___________________
Make checks payable to: Arizonans Concerned About Smoking
525 W. Southern, Suite 110, Mesa, AZ, 85210
(480) 733-5864 E-mail: acasinc@msn.com
www.arizonansconcernedaboutsmoking.com
