AMCNO members invited to attend Tobacco-Free Coalition Advocacy Day at the Statehouse

As previously reported, the AMCNO has agreed to participate in a new legislative initiative known as the Investing in Tobacco-Free Youth Coalition. The group is dedicated to reducing the problem of non-cigarette tobacco produced, called “other tobacco products” (OTP). 

Cherry, watermelon, grape and apple aren't just flavors of candy kids can buy, they're also the flavors that tobacco companies are using to hook kids on products like cigars, little cigars, and spit and chew tobacco. They are sold in places kids visit like convenience stores, often times are placed beside products kids buy like candy and snacks, and are being aggressively marketed by the tobacco industry in Ohio. Even worse, they're cheap, so kids can afford them. Unfortunately, it's working. While the use of cigarettes by high school kids in Ohio is decreasing, the same can't be said for cigars, little cigars, and spit and chew tobacco.

But the legislature can make a difference. When legislators raised the cigarette taxes in the past, they failed to raise the "other tobacco products" tax, which includes all tobacco products that aren't cigarettes. So, now the tax on these products is less than half the tax on cigarettes, making them cheap. We need the legislature to correct this inequity and dedicate the revenue to youth prevention and community programs that help our kids not start using tobacco, and to cessation programs so that addicted users can get the help they need to quit. To find out more about our campaign, visit this website. http://www.ohiolung.org/ITFYC.htm 

The AMCNO is joined in this effort by a coalition of health groups we call the Investing in Tobacco-Free Youth Coalition. The AMCNO is inviting physicians or other healthcare advocates that may be interested in attending the Coalition Advocacy day at the Ohio Statehouse to meet with legislators on this important initiative to sign up for the event. It's free to attend, and lunch and training are included. 

The day will begin at 8:30 p.m. with registration in the lobby of the Vern Riffe Center, 77 South High Street in downtown Columbus. Advocacy orientation and training will begin at 9 a.m. and the training will provide participants with more specific information on the issue, the process of Advocacy Day, and answer any questions that you may have. You will be assigned to a group, depending upon your district. Legislative appointments will begin at 10 a.m. Lunch vouchers for the statehouse cafeteria will be provided as well. 

This is an excellent opportunity for AMCNO members to get involved in a public health issue as well as participate in an advocacy day at the Statehouse where the appointments are all planned and training is provided. Interested physicians or other healthcare advocates can sign up for the advocacy day online at: http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=1955.