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Campaign Unavailable We're sorry, this alert is no longer available. If you would like to learn more about ways you can take action, please visit The American Lung Association of Maine Advocacy Network.The short explanation of this alert was: The second annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control: 2003 report has been released. This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas—smokefree air, tobacco program funding, cigarette excise tax levels and preventing youth access to tobacco. Maine scored grades of “C” in cigarette excise tax, "A" in tobacco prevention and control spending, "B" in smokefree air and an “A” for preventing youth access to tobacco. We know these measures work to reduce smoking because a November, 2003 report shows that Maine’s youth smoking rate has decreased by 50% since 1997. This means 22,000 fewer Maine children have started smoking. We are fortunate because our legislators very wisely invested money from the Tobacco Settlement in the Fund for a Healthy Maine (FHM), which supports eight health improvement programs, including tobacco prevention and quit smoking programs. However, thousands of dollars continue to be pulled from the FHM for other purposes. A bill to be considered in 2004 (LD 1612) proposes an amendment to the Maine Constitution to permanently protect the Fund For a Healthy Maine from further raids and invest the money in improving the health of Maine citizens. If Maine legislators approve the law and the governor signs it, it would be included on the November 2004 ballot for citizen approval. Please take a moment to send the attached letter to your Maine SENATOR or REPRESENTIVE in Augusta to support permanent protection of the Fund for a Healthy Maine. If you would like to view details on this alert, please visit here. |
