Posted on 01/09/2003 5:14:01 PM PST by SheLion
ANTI-TOBACCO EFFORTS PRAISED.
7 January 2003
Maine program earns high grades.
by Michael O'D. Moore of the Bangor Daily News Staff
When it comes to regulating (controlling) tobacco consumption, Maine compares to a report released early today by the American Lung (Liar) Association.
On four key measures the state got two A grades, a B and a C. The four measures, respectively, are spending on anti-smoking programs; restrictions on youth access to tobacco; cigarette taxes; and smoke-free air rules for public and PRIVATE places.
Maine was among just four states - California, New York and Rhode Island were the others - that earned two A grades.
It certainly is a good reflection of how Maine is doing compared to other states," said ED MILLER, President of the American Lung (Liar) Association of Maine.
The association calculated that smoking costs Maine $876 million a year in health care costs and LOST WORK TIME. Nearly a quarter of Maine's adults and high school students smoke.
Although Maine's smoking rates dropped in the 1990's, anti-smoking advocates are EAGER to get the rates down further through education and cessation efforts. (FORCED CESSATION?)
Maine tied for seventh with nine other states for its $1-a-pack TOBACCO TAX.
Maine placed sixth best for its policies regulating smoking at work, school,BARS and other establishments. (Other?) In 1999 a law went into effect banning smoking in all restaurants.Maine was the only state that got a C, with most states getting a D or F.
MILLER said the ranking down-graded Maine because state statue allows smoking in designated areas (rooms that must meet special rooms statewide. He knows of no school that has one, he said.
Changing that law isn't on the association's agenda THIS year. Miller said his group's first smoking priority is to maintain the use of about $50 million Maine receives annually as its portion of a settlement to a lawsuit brought by 45 states (Attorney Generals) against tobacco companies for health care-related programs. (Golf Courses and Car Race Tracks? Balancing state budgets?? Growing gardens in ELLSWORTH???!!! Great spending!)In July 2001 the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids ranked Maine first among states in using the funds for health-related programs. (Yes! Crummy TV ads, T shirts, and field trips, among some).
Governor John Baldacci already has made a campaign pledge not to tap the money for other uses. (Too late. The pet programs are in place, Governor).
Miller said the association will support a bill to be sponsored THIS session by SEN. KARL TURNER; REPUBLICAN-Cumberland, to ELIMINATE the exemption that allows smoking in TAVERNS, LOUNGES and most POOL HALLS. (Most?) The issue is likely to be contentious: In 2000 a similar bill was DEFEATED after a three-hour long public hearing before the Health and Human Services committee. Almost all of the speakers were AGAINST IT.
Miller said predictions that eliminating smoking from restaurants and bars in CALIFORNIA would-be economically disastrous haven't come true. Now, he said, his association plans to argue that exceptions for bars and the like in Maine should be eliminated as a matter of FAIRNESS to their workers and to restaurants were smoking is prohibited. (LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AGAIN!)
State Sen. Karl Turner (REPUBLICAN - Cumberland)
I sure hope so, ozone. Keep me posted on anything you hear. We are going to dinner at our favorite place up here, that still has the smoking and non-smoking areas, because they have a liquor license. I am printing this out and giving this to the owner so they can be on the alert. This Karl has got to be stopped.
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