''Tobacco is an enormous health problem in Maine,'' King told reporters before testing the line at a State House news conference in his office.
Tobacco? I believe OBESITY is a HUGE problem in the state of Maine. Everywhere I go, I see 8 out of 10 obese people! How about setting up a help line to help THEM? And how about spending the Tobacco Settlement money for help for health care for the OBESE?
Details are still to be worked out on a companion program offering discounts on medications and nicotine replacement therapies for qualifying individuals. Discounts are envisioned for nicotine gum and patches and medications such as Zyban, officials said.
Oh sure. Big Pharm will LOVE this since they are behind the war on the smokers!
Among those joining King at the news conference was Dr. Dora Mills, the state's public health chief.
We ALL know how SHE feels about smoking! She is behind the bans in restaurants and the health care facilities!
Department of Human Services Announces Smoke-Free Restaurant Bill
King said $2 million was earmarked for the smoking cessation aid program and an advertising campaign.
Where is the rest of the money going since Maine receives $5 million from the Tobacco Settlement money to which WE smokers are paying into 100% with our cigarette taxes!
According to state officials and anti-smoking activists, tobacco consumption in Maine measured in packs per capital has declined by 17 percent in the last four years.
Oh COURSE! People haven't stopped smoking. They have found other ways! How about the Reservation? How about online sales? How about rolling their OWN????
Additionally, officials say youth smoking in Maine has declined by 27 percent since 1997.
What a bunch of crap.According to a recent report by the CDC, teen smoking in Maine is unchanged. So who is lying to who?????
CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
Maine adopted a law in 1999 making restaurants smoke-free. Some schools, hospitals and employers have also established anti-smoking policies and the state Corrections Department is described as smoke-free.
Yes we know. We know all about the Government control in Maine on private businesses.
We know where all those packs went to, don't we?
Either to roll your own, stuff your own, or the internet.
"Hello, tobacco police? This is little Timmy, you know the one whose mother makes him clean his room and won't let him watch MTV? Well (sob) my mom smokes, and I was just wondering - won't that kill me and shouldn't you guys do something about that?
Huh?
called the help line ''the last piece of the puzzle, which is treatment,''
Re-education camps
following earlier anti-smoking initiatives that have included media efforts,
demonizing of smokers
community activities
ostracization of smokers
and tobacco tax increases.
robbery of smokers.
Training the snitches, aren't they?