WORKING WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES

Deborah P. Brown

CEO, American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic

Prevention and Cessation

• Teens Against Tobacco Use • Youth Tobacco Control Movements • Not On Tobacco• Freedom From Smoking• Helpline• Mini-Grants

It all starts with youth…

Advocacy

• Key to achieving our mission:

“ to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease”.

113th Congress Public Policy Priorities• Secure full funding and aggressive implementation of U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over

the manufacture, sale, distribution, labeling, marketing and promotion of tobacco products;• Increase funding for tobacco control programs, including prevention, education and cessation, and full coverage

for cessation services under Medicaid and Medicare;• Defend and strengthen the Clean Air Act and its health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect

the health of all including populations most at risk;• Increase air monitoring and reduce air pollution from mobile, stationary and area sources, including cars, trucks

and diesel engines, power plants and industry;• Increase funding for research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures for all lung diseases including asthma,

COPD, lung cancer and tuberculosis;• Increase funding for lung-related behavioral and environmental research and research training;• Support universal access to quality health care services, to give priority to preventive care, appropriate specialty

care, patient education and chronic disease management; Coverage must be consistent with evidence-based guidelines; and

• Increase funding for lung disease surveillance, prevention and wellness, public health infrastructure and health programs related to the lung, including preparation for an influenza pandemic.

Why Do VHA get involved in advocacy?

• Leaders• Represent viewpoints/voice• Constituency• Volunteers• Define policy agenda• Access

How Do YOU Get Involved?

• Boards• LTE• Op Eds• Testimonies• Calls• Visits• Breakfast, Lunches

Op Eds

Clean Indoor Air Adds to Quality of Life For All

 

by Julia Pillsbury, M.D.

I would like to applaud the state legislature for passing the Clean Indoor Air Act, and encourage them to keep it in place without changes. As both an asthmatic and a pediatrician, I can attest to the health benefits of this law for both adults and children.

Throughout my adult life, I have missed many occasions to meet with friends at bars and restaurants. While many non-smokers tolerated the smoke to enjoy social gatherings and entertainment, I was unable to do so because of the risk of an asthma attack. After being limited to very few establishments in Delaware, it has been nice to go out, have a drink and see a band anywhere I choose.

EXAMPLE

 From: Sarah Mullins [mailto:smullins88@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, April 08, 2013 2:30 PMTo: hanson@team-doctor.comSubject: Smoke-free Dewey Beach

 

Thank you for considering this important issue!

I was very excited to hear about this issue coming before your council. My family lives in Pike Creek, Delaware, and enjoys building sand castles and playing in the waves, when I can get away from my practice. We love coming down for day trips or weekends, and even before children, my husband and spent our first wedding anniversary with you, when we lived in the Washington DC area 10 years ago.

As a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians Tobacco Cessation Advisory Committee, I am often proud of Delaware's progressive policies on smoke free places, when I am at national meetings. As a Delaware primary care doctor, I thank you for your work on this opportunity to help the beaches stay beautiful and healthy!

Sincerely, Sarah Mullins MD

From: <hanson@team-doctor.com>Date: Apr 8, 2013 4:12 PMSubject: RE: Smoke-free Dewey BeachTo: "Sarah Mullins" <smullins88@gmail.com>Cc: "Town Manager" <townmanager@townofdeweybeach.com>, "Jim Dedes" <jsdedes@yahoo.com>, <annalegates@gmail.com>, "Courtney Riordan" <criordan4@comcast.net>, "Gary Mauler" <gary@maulers.net>, "Joy Howell" <joy@cambridgestrategicpartners.org>

Thank you for writing.  I guess we can say we have to vote for it now based on doctor's orders! Diane Hanson

EXAMPLE

We will breathe easier when the air in everyAmerican community is clean and healthy.

 We will breathe easier when people are free from the addictivegrip of cigarettes and the debilitating effects of lung disease. 

We will breathe easier when the air in our public spaces andworkplaces is clear of secondhand smoke.

We will breathe easier when children no longerbattle airborne poisons or fear an asthma attack. 

Until then, we are fighting for air.