Advocacy Project: Letter and Fact Sheet

December 6, 2010

Diana Degette

House of Representatives

2335 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

VOTE YES ON H.R. 1850 Quit Smoking for Life Act 2009

The proposed program would provide smoking cessation materials to many who would not otherwise be able to access them.  As a health educator, I believe that providing cessation materials will increase the number of individuals who succeed in quitting smoking for life.  This will reduce the prevalence of numerous diseases relating to smoking and in turn reduce health care costs all across the country.

This program will save lives and financial costs of the country.  Cigarette smoking currently costs the country more than $193 billion dollars in health care costs and lost productivity.  Also, more than 400,000 people die in the U.S. each year from smoking related diseases.  Nearly 70% of smokers want to quit completely, but many do not have the means to do so.  Each year, more than 45% of smokers try to quit.  If these individuals were provided assistance to purchase cessation materials, there would be a higher success rate for those who actually quit smoking. 

Opponents of this bill might not feel that Medicare or Medicaid is responsible for providing these resources to individuals.  Unfortunately, if these insurance companies do not offer assistance for individuals to purchase these items, the majority forego the use of them, which results in unsuccessful cessation attempts.  This means that smokers remain dependent to tobacco products and continue to cost the country billions of dollars.  The Quit Smoking for Life Act can save lives and save billions of dollars, which I believe is beneficial for everyone.

Thank you for your previous support and concern on smoking cessation issues.  We hope you decide to further promote this bill and vote yes to H.R. 1850 Quit Smoking for Life Act.  If I can be of any further assistance or provide you with additional information, please feel free to contact me at 555-555-5555 or email@gmail.com.

Kristy

Facts about Smoking



Source: CDC SAMMEC, MMWR 2008;57(45):1226–1228.



Each year, billions of dollars are spent on the costs of cigarette smoking.  Between health care costs and lost productivity:

·         Cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion

·         Secondhand smoke costs more than $10 billion





Smoking doesn’t just cost our society financially:

·         More than 400,000 people in the U.S. die from smoking or smoking related diseases each year.

·         This is equal to 1200 people every day.

According to the 2004 Surgeon General’s Report, almost 172,000 new cases of lung cancer occurred and an estimated 157,200 people died from lung cancer.

·         Male smokers are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers.

·         Female smokers are 13 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers.

In the U.S., about 8.6 million have at least one serious illness caused by smoking. 

·         For every one person that dies from smoking, 20 more people suffer from one or more serious illnesses related to smoking.

Nicotine is an addictive drug.  When quitting, multiple attempts are common.  Some cessation tools that are helpful include counseling or medication, either by themselves or in combination.

·         Nearly 70% of smokers want to quit completely.

·         Each year, more than 45% of smokers try to quit.

Smoking cessation can provide multiple health benefits:

·         Lowers risk for cancer

·         Reduces risk for heart disease

·         Reduces respiratory symptoms

·         Reduces risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

 Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Smoking and Tobacco Use
American Lung Association: Stop Smoking
The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General
The Truth about Tobacco

Reflection: Weeks 9-12

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Wow, we are already at weeks 9-12.  We have covered so much already!  Some things we focused on were advocacy, SMART goals, Eco-chic lifestyle changes, THOMAS, junking, environmental literacy, and blog hops.

The most beneficial thing we identified in this section of the course was the piece on advocacy.  We learned so many new things.  First of all, we covered what advocacy actually is, and were able to choose an issue we are passionate about and advocate for it.  Through this process we identified a Healthy People goal and a House Bill using THOMAS.  We then went on to do in-depth research relating to the issue and share and overview with the class.  I was also able to incorporate my Photo Essay into my advocacy project and have really enjoyed this part of the course.  This was my favorite thing we have done so far in the semester. 

The other really awesome thing we have done during this portion of the course is are Eco-Chic Lifestyle goals.  Everyone was able to create a SMART goal relating to something they felt could use a change in their life.  My goal revolves around drinking water out of a reusable bottle from the faucet or drinking fountains.  I used to buy tons of bottled water and now I don't!  It is so exciting for me and the environment.  I really like how all of our goals can be different and we all get to focus on one area in our life to change to better then environment.  One of the films we watched, The Story of Stuff, was probably one of the most beneficial videos I have seen.  It was a pretty simple film and very easy to understand.  It got straight to the point and was a great learning resource. 

JUNKING!  This is one of the most exciting aspects of environmental friendliness, in my opinion at least.  Junking is basically taking an object that was once thought of as junk or unusable and turning it into a completely new item.  We have to do Junking piece and I have to say I am really excited for mine  At first, I had no idea what to do and didn't think I would find anything in the garage that I could use.  But luckily Thanksgiving night, I found these old salt and pepper shakers (Great Grandma style old).  I had no idea that's what they were even used for, they just looked like empty jars to me.  I intend to turn them into bookends so stay tuned!

The most recent thing we learned about that was pretty neat is called blog hops.  It allows you to link up with the host blog and then copy a code to your own blog which allows who linked to be displayed on your blog post.  So now when you click on my Photo Essay post, you also are able to see all the posts done by my classmates on the same project.  I think that is really beneficial for Internet purposes because then you can see what others are doing on the same topic. 

As you can see we have covered a lot in this portion of the class.  I have come to actually enjoy learning about all these topics of Environmental Health.  I had no idea some of the impacts we were making on the environment.  We learned how we can all make a difference for the environment too.  I definitely utilize this knowledge in the future!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4: Weekly Update

1. My SMART goal was I will drink 40 ounces of water out of my reusable stainless steel water bottle 7 days a week.  I would say that I was fairly successful with this goal.  I was able to achieve it 6 days last week, Thanksgiving being the slacking day.
2. I was only able to be home the night before and the day of Thanksgiving, which for this goal, was a blessing in disguise.  We live off bottled water at my home because our water goes through softeners and the well and has a lot of minerals in it.  (My dogs can't even drink it because it gives them kidney and gallbladder stones.)  So we do not drink it.  What we typically do though is bring jugs to my grandma's house, who lives in the actually city, and fill them up.  But my point is, is that it was very difficult to stick with my goal while at home.  Thanksgiving was a bit of challenge for that reason.  Being at work allows me to be successful because we have those really big jugs you can fill from and I love it.  I usually fill it once when I get there, midway through the day, and then again before I leave at night.
3. I wouldn't say I had any specific feelings this weak.  A little disappointment at the end of the week from not being able to achieve my goal again, but I was so close that I was also filled with excitement.  This is because I really think next week I will achieve this goal.  Throughout this last week I had a real positive attitude for my goal because I knew I was doing well.
4. I learned that drinking tap water can be a challenging thing for everyone, but if you really try to make it your lifestyle, it is not that difficult.  It is more difficult when I am at home but I know there are ways to get around it.  
5. For next week, I intend to keep my goal the same because I really think I can achieve it.  It has obviously been challenging since I have struggled over the last few weeks to actually complete it 100%.  I am very hopeful for what next week will bring.  My goal for next week is: I will drink 40 ounces of water out of my reusable stainless steel water bottle 7 days a week.

Blogged for Eco Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4 Hosted by Amy@Amy in the rain

Share and Voice: How Does Smoking Hurt the Environment?

This article is a very powerful one.  I had no idea of some of the statistics it provides.  For example, did you know that 50% of all litter is cigarette butts?  The United States smokers alone litter more than 250 billion cigarette butts a year.  These butts are toxic and not going anywhere, hence polluting our environment.  Read on to find out more information about How Does Smoking Hurt the Environment?

Eye Opener: Photo Essay: Breathe Free UMD

Fight for Healthy Air!  The quality of the air we breathe greatly affects us, including second hand smoke.  The University of Minnesota Duluth is doing something about this.  UMD enacted it's "Breathe Free" policy in 2007.



This sign hangs next to the Swenson Science Building, located on Kirby Drive. 

 


Multiple pole banners can be found while driving through campus.




Did you know you can receive up to a $1000 fine for smoking within 15 feet of a bus shelter?  This doesn't just apply to UMD campus, it is a Duluth City Ordinance.




Signage located just inside the Kirby Bus Hub







These signs are located near almost all entrances of UMD.

 


Did you know you can receive a monetary fine for smoking within 100 feet of health services?  This area spans to Goldfine Apartments, Heany Hall, and Lake Superior Hall dormitories.  This is also a Duluth City Ordinance of smoking within 100 feet of any medical facility.





Become a Supporter!  Supporters ensure this policy is followed.  The Task Force is working on increasing enforcement and creating more severe consequences for violators.

 


Supporters paint the logo on sidewalks all around UMD campus to remind others of the policy.


There should be NO ONE on campus who does not know we have a Breathe Free policy.  You have the responsibility to tell those who are violating that it is not okay.  This is your air too.  One of the policy's goals is to create a healthy air environment where we do not have to breathe second hand smoke.  Support Breathe Free UMD!

For more information on BreatheFree UMD please visit the website:  www.d.umn.edu/breathefree

Photo Credit: Kristy Seaver and Alex Warren

Share and Voice: The Story of Bottled Water

This is from the "Story of Stuff" site that we watched in class awhile ago. I really thought this clip was interesting because it related to my Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change. I had no idea that water bottles really don't get recycled. My favorite clip from the movie though was that she said that having bottled water is now looked at as if you were smoking. Smoking seems to be frowned upon by most nonsmokers, using bottled beverages is frowned upon by those who know the effects on the environment. Watch the video, it really isn't that long and you have a lot to learn.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3: Weekly Update

My smart goal for this week was: I will drink 40 ounces of water out of my reusable stainless steel water bottle 7 days a week.    This week was not very good for me.  I did not reach my goal but I am optimistic that I can achieve it later on.  I changed it from my initial goal therefore it became more difficult, yet I intend to keep it.  Even though it will challenging, I will leave this as my goal.

This last week I definitely faced some challenges.  I did not have my typically schedule, thus I was out and about and not at work or school.  On Wednesday and Thursday I was at events at Fon du Lac Tribal Community College and the College of St. Scholastica.  I didn't even think about drinking water that day, I simply did not stay hydrated without realizing it because I was so busy.  I did bring my water bottle with (Step 1!) I just did not refill it.  So I met part of my goal.  Then comes Friday, in which I was at a four hour meeting where lunch was served.  I was so hungry that I just grabbed the set up and starting eating and drinking.  Uh oh! I started drinking out of a plastic water bottle.  I was half way through before I even realized it, I was so disappointed in myself.  Luckily, all the rest of my days were successful and I did meet my goals. 

It felt so good to actually meet my goal.  I was really proud that I was able to accomplish drinking 40 ounces these last few days.  I would much rather have a goal that is difficult then set the bar too low and make it to easy to achieve.  I also had feelings of disappointment this week when I was not able to reach my goal.  I am a perfectionist so I really intend to accomplish everything I set my mind to.

This week I learned that sometimes different things come up in your days and weeks.  You need to always be prepared for what lies ahead of you because you never really know.  I am a very structured and routine person, so when my weeks change it is a little stressful.  I should always have my water bottle with me, and make a conscious choice to find a water fountain and make sure I can refill my bottle.

As I have stated previously, I intend to keep the same goal for next week so I will drink 40 ounces of water out of my reusable stainless steel water bottle 7 days a week.  Hopefully I can achieve it next week.  It will be a bit challenging but I think I can do it.  I intend to bring my water bottle to Thanksgiving so hopefully that won't be an issue.

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Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3 hosted by Amy@Amy in the Rain