Maine: Tobacco curbs need more time for results

Mainetoday.com ^ | 10-1-03 | JOSIE HUANG

[SheLion]

Maine leads the country in establishing strong tobacco controls, but a new study on smoking and women shows the effects have yet to be felt.

Maine ranked 33rd among states on health indicators such as smoking among pregnant women and teenage girls, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Women's Law Center and the Center for Women's Health at Oregon Health & Science University.

About 21 percent of adult women in Maine smoke, compared to the national average of 20.7 percent, leading to a high incidence of tobacco-related illnesses in the state. For example, the prevalence of lung cancer, the biggest cancer killer of women, was 48.3 deaths per 100,000 women, the 47th worst in the country.

State officials and health advocates in Maine said it could take years before policies are fully reflected in health statistics. They point out an aggressive anti-tobacco campaign did not begin in earnest until 1997, the same year the state doubled its excise tax on tobacco.

But one of the authors said Maine's poor performance on health indicators set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows the state needs to take more action. (Like what KIND of action? More bans???)

"There are other policies that Maine can implement to reach out to other women and encourage them not to smoke," said Neena Chaudhry, senior counsel at the National Women's Law Center.

Health advocates maintain that small improvements are already taking place because of current initiatives such as pregnant-specific counseling on a telephone hotline and Medicaid coverage for smoking cessation programs.

Such initiatives have caused the smoking rate among pregnant teens to drop from 36.6 percent, the 1999 figure used in the report, to 31.5 percent in 2000, said Judy Dorsey, a senior policy analyst for the Maine Coalition on Smoking or Health.

Dorsey also said the percentage of adult women trying to quit smoking has grown from the 51.5 percent in 2000 to 62.6 percent in 2002.

"We are in fact doing better than (the report) shows we're doing," Dorsey said.

Health advocates predicted more changes. About 88 percent of women report smoking bans at their workplaces, putting Maine at the top of the country. That proportion should grow even more once a smoking ban in bars and bingo halls takes effect in January.

Overall, the study offers a mixed report for Maine, but "at least it shows we're headed in the right direction and we're doing the right thing," said Megan Hannan, director of government relations for the American Cancer Society in Maine.

Hannan pointed out that California, which began a tobacco control program more than 15 years ago, is beginning to see a drop in lung cancer and chronic lung disease.

"It will work in Maine," Hannan said. "We just need to be patient."

Despite giving Maine an overall failing grade along with 38 other states, the study did recognize the state for its commitment to funding tobacco prevention programs when other budget-strapped states are making drastic cuts to their programs.

Each year, the state pays for tobacco control programs with $1 million from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and about $15 million in money from a multi-state settlement reached with tobacco companies. (LIAR! Your money comes from SMOKER'S who pay TAXES on CIGARETTES! NOT the Government and NOT the Tobacco Company's.  THE SMOKERS TAXES!)

Staff Writer Josie Huang can be contacted at 791-6364 or at: jhuang@pressherald.com

[SheLion]

CHECK OUT THE POLL! MAYBE WE ARE FINALLY GETTING THROUGH TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!!!!

[SheLion]

See what liars they are? And the general public believes this stuff. They sure hate to admit that SMOKERS are paying their wages, don't they!

[SheLion]

Take the poll! Let 'em REALLY have it!

[CSM]

"About 21 percent of adult women in Maine smoke, compared to the national average of 20.7 percent, leading to a high incidence of tobacco-related illnesses in the state. For example, the prevalence of lung cancer, the biggest cancer killer of women, was 48.3 deaths per 100,000 women, the 47th worst in the country."

Isn't 20.7 percent about 21 percent. In addition, I would be curious to see the overall number of deaths of women. It is hard to understand the impact of the 48.3 deaths per 100,000 women (living or dead, who knows?) As it stands, that statement is saying .0483 (less than one half percent) of all women in maine die from lung cancer......I don't know what that means.

[CSM]

They lead the nation in tobacco control and their are 47th in lung cancer rates. Hmmmmm, just loosen the control and an improvement may just follow!

[SheLion]

My email to Josie:

Hi Josie, Read your article. But the following statement: Each year, the state pays for tobacco control programs with $1 million from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and about $15 million in money from a multi-state settlement reached with tobacco companies.

See how they lie? The taxes paid for on cigarettes by the people who buy tobacco products are paying their wages and for their war on the Maine smokers. NOT the Government and NOT Big Tobacco. But the SMOKERS. Pity they have a hard time putting the truth out there isn't it. They don't want the smokers, but without cigarettes, they would be out of a job. Period!

[CSM]

The questions are in a different order than what they may appear in Shelion's graphic above. Don't get to fast on the clicker.

[SheLion]

Isn't 20.7 percent about 21 percent. In addition, I would be curious to see the overall number of deaths of women. It is hard to understand the impact of the 48.3 deaths per 100,000 women (living or dead, who knows?) As it stands, that statement is saying .0483 (less than one half percent) of all women in maine die from lung cancer......I don't know what that means.

YOU don't know what it means? Who DOES? I check the obituary every day, and mostly people OVER 70 die. Except those that get killed in car accidents, and those few that are born with defects. How can they even JUSTIFY these blatant lies!

[SheLion]

They lead the nation in tobacco control and their are 47th in lung cancer rates. Hmmmmm, just loosen the control and an improvement may just follow!

Well, you SEE the POLL! People are finally getting the drift that GOVERNMENT SHOULD STAY OUT OF THIS. LOL! I love it!

[SheLion]

The questions are in a different order than what they may appear in Shelion's graphic above. Don't get to fast on the clicker.

What? I took the poll several hours ago then went to town. What has changed with the poll? Did the nannies get to it?

[Izzy Dunne]

About 21 percent of adult women in Maine smoke, compared to the national average of 20.7 percent, leading to a high incidence of tobacco-related illnesses in the state. For example, the prevalence of lung cancer, the biggest cancer killer of women, was 48.3 deaths per 100,000 women, the 47th worst in the country.

Will somebody 'splain to me how the smoking rate is barely above average, and the cancer death rate is way above average, and that the smoking causes the cancer?

Is this a back-handed boost for the secondhand smoke theory. or just a confused reporter?

[SheLion]

I did a "capture" on that poll. That's how it appeared when I "captured" it. What has changed? And everyone can still take the poll and tell them to keep government out of it.

[Publius6961]

Wasn't that the same lame whining used during prohibition?

What's that definition of insanity again?

[SheLion]

What's that definition of insanity again?

Yea!

[Izzy Dunne]

and mostly people OVER 70 die

THIS JUST IN:
Old age can be hazardous to your health.

[SheLion]

[metesky]

You hit the nail right on the head. The numbers they try to frighten everyone with are miniscule.

SL, that poll wouldn't let me vote twice.
:O(

[SheLion]

Old age can be hazardous to your health.

LOL! And look at the following:

[CSM]

No, I think the results sorts by leading vote getter, but the answers remain constant.

[SheLion]

SL, that poll wouldn't let me vote twice.

Tricky, ain't they!