MSNBC News – New smokeless tobacco products with candy-like flavors and packaging may be contributing to accidental poisonings in small children, according to research published recently in the journal Pediatrics.

Nicotine-laced pellets, strips and sticks that dissolve completely in the user’s mouth – dubbed “tobacco candy” by critics – have joined chewing tobacco and snuff to become the second-most common cause of unintentional tobacco ingestion in kids younger than 6. In fact, between 2006 and 2008, nearly 600 U.S. children accidentally ingested smokeless tobacco products each year.

While tobacco critics point the blame toward tobacco companies for making these products appealing to children, the tobacco industry points to adult users’ negligence. Read More.

March 19, 2010 – The District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) was awarded a grant of $4.9 million for wellness and tobacco prevention programs in the District.

This grant award is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking—four critical actions for combating chronic diseases and promoting health.

DOH’s grant is part of $372.8 million, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,  awarded to 44 communities, including cities, towns, and tribes. All communities are receiving awards to implement policy, systems and environmental change strategies over the next two years as one of several initiatives of HHS Communities Putting Prevention to Work.

Read more »

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death, killing 860 District residents each year.

Washington, DC – As part of the District of Columbia Department of Health’s (DOH) ongoing efforts to improve the health and quality of life of District residents, DOH released the first report that outlines the top preventable causes of death for the District. Preventable Risk Factors Attributed to Preventable Causes of Death in the District of Columbia, 2007 (The Report) uses formulas, previously applied only to national and state data, to local health data for District residents.

The District is the first city and third state level jurisdiction to put together a preventable cause of death report based on residential data. The preventable causes of death outlined in The Report made up 49.5% of all deaths in the District in 2007. “Information like this is the key to residents making smart decisions about their health,” said District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “This report illustrates clearly how much we have to do to help people live healthier lives, because the choices we make can have serious impact on our health.”
Read more »

National Poll Finds Voters Prefer Tobacco Tax to Other Tax Increases, Budget Cuts

Raising District of Columbia’s cigarette tax by $1 per pack would bring in $6.8 million in new annual revenue to help close the state’s budget shortfall, while also reducing smoking and saving lives, according to a national report released today by a coalition of public health organizations.

The report comes as states grapple with unprecedented budget shortfalls and face devastating cuts to education, health care and other essential public services.  The report details the revenue and health benefits to each state of a $1 cigarette tax increase.

In District of Columbia, a $1 cigarette tax increase would also:

• Prevent 2,500 kids from becoming smokers;
• Spur 1,900 current adult smokers to quit;
• Save 1,300 residents from premature, smoking-caused deaths; and
• Save $61.8 million in health care costs.

Read more »

Don’t Let Smoking Have the Final Note in Your Life

Decades later, the tobacco industry continues to prey on the African American community — together we can end the industry’s stronghold and the scourge of tobacco addiction.

As published in the Washington Informer newspaper, 2/11/10

Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis, Jr., Mary Wells, Ella Fitzgerald, and Eddie Kendricks were not merely great entertainers of their time. They were legendary icons who revolutionized the music and entertainment industry during times of racial prejudice and inequality. Their unwavering courage, perseverance and unique talent earned them some of the highest accolades in the world, inspiring generations of black artists to overcome obstacles and to reach their fullest potential. Whenever we listen to these singers, many of us remember the smoky piano bars and clubs they performed in, and how “sophisticated” they looked when they lit that ever-present cigarette and belted out a smooth ballad. These fond memories are marred today by the tragic reality that their smoking led to their untimely deaths and robbed the Black community of its brightest stars. Read More.