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

[CSM]

I agree wholeheartedly. You know the saying about birds of a feather......After computer getting to know you, gabz, shelion, and joe I really beleive it! If you know of any single, cute, friendly, smoking, freeping 30 year old, send her my way. When effort is not being wasted changing the other person, it can be used to please them. That is what will eventually make it work anyway!

[CSM]

I went back to look at the current results of the poll and it let me vote again!

[Conspiracy Guy]

I was giving the Boneless Smoke Gnatzie the benefit of the doubt.

[swarthyguy]

Flu/Pneumonia epidemic in Maine as people step outside.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I know a few smokers and non-smokers who aren't bothered by smoking in the age range, they are cute and smart, but they all live down south. Get out of Yankee land and help us make a last stand down here. Laura Earl doesn't smoke but still loves me cause I'm a fun dude.

[Great Dane]

Our little man do want us to think he's a real stud muffin.

[CSM]

I have thought of a fresh start lately, but getting into a job search scenario at this time is a little frightening. I do think I am a bit more marketable than the average minion (I didn't want to use average joe, cause JA Joe is not average!).

How is your job search going?

[Mears]

Looks like you read the stats the same way I did. The 47th worst,out of 50,sounds good to me.


It is pitiful the way that the figures are interpreted.



The thing that astonishes me is that I have never seen anthing explaining why a generation of women that smoked a lot(my generation)gave birth to large families of baby-boomers,one of the healthiest generations in history.Maybe all the smoke the boomers had around them as children made them healthier adults.

The children of the boomers seem to be plagued with strange allergies(peanuts),asthma and the dreaded ADHD. Go figure!

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm low keying it right now. If I had time to press it would go quicker. I am very ethical so I don't search much on employer's nickel.

[Mears]

I'm one lady,and yes,I am a lady(in spite of what the antis may think) who just had her 71st birthday while smoking since age 17.

[CSM]

Yep, when a child is raised in a sterile environment society should not be shocked that their system can't handle some exposure to impurities and germs. It is more than smoking though, lack of pet dander exposure and the general sheltering we give children is causing a generation of wussies! I won't be surprised when children start getting diseases when exposed to the sun, after years of sitting in front of a tv playing video games and watching cartoons the sun will shock their systems.

[Leisler]

Actually the government has no business encouraging or discouraging smoking: 46.34%

No, smoking is a public health problem that needs more attention: 37.20%

Yes, state policies are working: 16.46%



Total Votes: 164

[jimt]

Freeped and bumped !

[Mears]

Aw,come on Flurry,leave those bald men alone. My family is full of them,including my three sons,but all are over 6' tall and no combovers,they just shaved off what was left.

Very sexy!!!!

[CSM]

"I am very ethical so I don't search much on employer's nickel."

Plus, it would eat into your freeping time!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Heck I got nuttin agin bald, I'm startin to accelerate myself. But I have dignity and will wear the chrome with pride if and when it comes. I'm 6'2" 190 and almost 50. I always imagine minion with a double comb over swhirly. You now in the wind and rain he'd look like he had a basset hound's ears except the hound looks good

[Conspiracy Guy]

Freeping is allowed. They know what I produce and know I only freep when I'm doing 10 other things.

[SheLion]

Why on earth marry someone you don't love as they are?

Ever hear the sayings:

Love me love my dog? and

Take me as I am or keep walking?

[SheLion]

I immediately went over to a buds place and began to have a few beverages and smoke a couple of cigs. She walks in and demands that I quit those things or quit her. She was the easiest of the enjoyments to give up so I dropped her like a bad habbit!

Good for YOU! Can you imagine your life with someone like that? You can't PEE straight enough for some people.

[SheLion]

Why would Minion be excluded?

hehe!