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May 2009 Newsletter
The Coalition website has been given a makeover. A new look, new capability, and new options. We added two new interfaces that allow you to create and post your own page. One is the Quitter’s Club, if you know someone trying to quit or that has recently quit, a personal page can be created and friends invited to support them. The second is the Tribute Page, a space for you to share personal messages about loved ones that may be struggling with a tobacco related illness or one who has lost that battle.
We hope you find it easy to navigate and a useful resource. Visit us often to see what events, trainings or news we have to share. www.tobaccofreehawaii.org
Recently the website for a cigar company on Maui caught my attention, I found the graphics and the implied sanction of Native Hawaiians offensive. According to the website “From the early 1900’s until 1953, the Big Island of Hawaii produced some of the finest wrapper leaf tobacco in the world. Conceived in Upcountry Maui in 1994, Royal Hawaiian brings you back to that bygone era of cigars that Queen Lili’uokaloani popularized during her reign as Hawaii’s last monarch, over 110 years ago.”
My interest was so peaked that I did a little research and found their claim that tobacco was grown in the Island in the early 1900’s to be true. According to the Hawaiian Dictionary tobacco arrived in the Islands as early as 1812. Read more by Diane Lobre
Remember the 50’s and 60’s…Elvis and “Blue Hawai’i?” The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai’i invites you and your friends to join us for a fun night at Indigo’s private lanai for some of their renowned martinis and tasty pupu creations by Chef Glenn Chu! Prizes will be given for the best retro ’50’s or ’60’s aloha attire. Door prizes include a stay at the’Ihilani Resort, a beautiful original watercolor, and more. Purchase tickets on-line or call the Coalition office (808) 946-6851 x 200.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
5 to 8:30 pm
Indigo Restaurant
1121 Nu’uanu Street
$40 Pre-sale or $45 at the door
International and National Awards and Recognition for Hawai’i Leaders
Lila Johnson appointed to INWAT
Our own Lila Johnson, State Department of Health, Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, and long-time Board member and volunteer with the American Cancer Society was recently appointed to the Board of the International Network of Women Against Tobacco (INWAT) to serve as the regional representative for North America. IWAT was founded to address the compex issues of tobacco use among women and girls.
INWAT´s three main objectives are:
• To counter the ruthless marketing and promotion of tobacco to women and
• To develop women centred- prevention and cessation programmes forwomen and girls
• To promote women’s leadership in tobacco control
Dileep Bal receives Luther Terry Award for Outstanding Community Service: These awards recognize outstanding worldwide achievement in the field of tobacco control and were presented during a special ceremony on the evening of March 11, in Mumbai, India, as part of the 14th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health.
Dileep G. Bal, M.D., M.S., M.P.H. is known nationally and internationally as the former director and founder of California’s influential and exceptionally effective Tobacco Control Program and is currently the district health officer for the Hawaii Department of Health on the island of Kauai. Under his outstanding leadership, California made tremendous progress in tobacco control, and the state’s tobacco control program has emerged as a model not only for other states in the U.S. but also globally. Over the last decade, Dr. Bal has become increasingly involved in global tobacco control initiatives. In 2004 he served as an editorial advisory board member for the Report on Tobacco Control in India, which was commissioned by the Government of India, and in 2006 he served as co-chair of the World Conference on Tobacco OR Health. He has earned a reputation for making courageous decisions and taking calculated risks to advance public health and tobacco control to unprecedented levels of effectiveness. Read More
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids’ names REAL the 2009 Youth Advocacy Group of the Year!
Congratulations The REAL program: Hawaii Youth Movement Exposing the Tobacco Industry. Real has more than 4000 youth with members on each of the Islands. Real is a force that has helped to successfully pass our current State smoke-free workplace law, created a “Youth Unite” activism training and activity in conjunction with the annual Kick Butts Day, as well as a number of counter-marketing efforts to expose the truth about tobacco industry marketing practices.
This award is the result of more than 8 years of activism across Hawaii by REAL youth to counter-market the influence of the tobacco industry! The awardis being presented to REAL today in Washington, DC. Read More
Lighting Up the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: A Case Study of U.S. Tobacco Industry Political Influence Buying in Japan
Mark Levin
William S. Richardson School of Law
This paper presents the historical record of Brown and Williamson’s contemplated political influence buying in Japan as demonstrated by the documents. The paper analyzes those facts under the terms of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in effect at the time and concludes that the documents reveal plans that, if carried out, constituted a felony. Drawing at least upon the snapshot portrayed in this paper of one company’s inclination towards corrupt activity, the paper proposes further investigation by the United States’ Department of Justice and Congress and corresponding statutory, regulatory, and international policy measures. Finally, this paper concludes by arguing that the individuals involved perhaps did not just get away with violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. It should be time to consider whether the individuals involved got away with murder. Read More
Tobacco Trust Fund Monies Allocated for Community Programs Cut (SB292)
Lawmakers voted out a conference draft on SB 292 which cuts Tobacco Prevention and Control funds allocated for community programs from 12.5% to 6.5% for six years. It is difficult to predict the impact on our community programs. It is more difficult to predict the impact on the people and youth we work with daily. The Coalition continues to work to ensure Hawaii has a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control to address smoking and tobacco use.
We all fought a great fight. Many of you responded to our calls to advocate against this measure. Many came down to talk with lawmakers about the important work in tobacco prevention and control programs.
Two important bills that raise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products have been passed and are now waiting for the Governor’s signature.
The Governor must take action on these measures by Thursday, May 7, 2009. Please take a moment to encourage Governor Lingle to sign the two measures into law. Click here to take action! Read More
The majority of lawmakers supported the passage of both tax increase bills. We extend our sincere mahalo to them. Click here for the complete list.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island held its Kick Butts Day on March 18, 2009.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island took part in Kick Butts Day on March 18, 2009. BGCBI Clubs in Hilo, Keaau, Naalehu, Paauilo, Pahala, and Pahoa had interactive games, activities, and displays that educated kids on the dangers of tobacco use. At the Hilo Club, 1100 tombstones were displayed to represent the annual adult deaths in Hawaii resulting from smoking cigarettes. Read more
Mahalo to Our 2009 Donors! The Coalition relies on the support of individual, non-profit and corporate donations to continue to reduce the toll of tobacco in Hawaii. If you haven’t yet made a donation find out more about our benefits and join today. Our goal for individual donations for 2009 is $25,000, we are currently at $10,000, please help us meet our goal. Click here to see our donor list.
Conferences and Events:
May 12-13, 2009 NAAPTN Regional Information Exchange Summit
May 20, 2009 “Blue Hawaiian Nights” at Indigo Restaurant, a fundraiser for the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai’i click here for details and tickets.
National Expert, Jim Bergman on Smoke Free Homes will be aired on Olelo Community TV on the following dates:
5/27/09 Wed 2:30 pm Channel 52
6/4/09 Thu 10:30 am Channel 52
6/11/09 Thu 3:30 pm Channel 52
6/14/09 Sun 4:30 pm Channel 49
6/28/09 Sun 4:30 pm Channel 49
June 9-12, 2009 National Tobacco Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
October 7-9, 2009 “Reducing Inequality through tobacco control” a conference in Australia
Jobs
Great news! The QuitLine is now hiring for eight new positions. If you are interested please visit http://www.freeclear.com/about/employment/ for more information or email recruiter@freeclear.com.
