Clean Indoor Air Wins in a Landslide
Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada clear the air, reject opposition initiatives. Read more

For more information on Hawaii's new law, to make a complaint or help with compliance, visit www.hawaiismokefree.com. Read more

http://www.callitquitsHawai'i.org/quitTips.html
The Quitline is free and a great resource for employers or individuals.

1) If you are a smoker, get a quit coach and fight the addiction for good! Quitting tobacco is one of the most important things you can do for your health as well as the health of those around you. Even if you have tried to stop smoking before, now is a great time to call the Hawai'i State Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW. It is a FREE telephone counseling service based right here in Hawai'i . They will help you find out what's been helpful in the past, what hasn't and assist you in setting and sticking with a quit plan. Read more

Outstanding Elected Leader
Senator Rosalyn H. Baker
Senator Baker was a chief champion in the State Legislature for the smoke-free work and public places bill. Throughout the process, she refused to take "no" for an answer and pushed the bills through the legislative process. In her position as Chair of the Health Committee, Sen. Baker has continued to support our efforts throughout the years and her tenacious efforts have been invaluable in our success in passing laws that better our community. Read more

Meet Your New Board of Directors:

Chair
Tony Saguibo, Assistant Vice President, Marketing
Hawai'i Medical Service Association

Read more

If you have a training, workshop or event that you would like included in the next newsletter please email it to diane@tobaccofreehawaii.org.

The Hawai'i Island Tobacco-Free Partnership, West Hawai'i partnered with Kealakehe High School's track and field/cross country teams to educate area businesses on Hawaii's new smoke-free law. Read more

Check it all out at www.thetruth.com and share with youth and others you think can help get the word out. In addition to the website, you can check out one of the new ads -- laryngectomy cowboy -- which is really great on youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ2AzmbYcC0

Clean Indoor Air Wins in a Landslide
Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada clear the air, reject opposition initiatives

USA, 11/8/06 -- Voters in Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada saw through the smokescreen and voted overwhelmingly in favor of clean indoor air ballot initiatives. Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada will thus become the 15th, 16th, and 17th states in the U.S. to enact comprehensive smoke-free legislation for workers, including restaurant and bar workers. They join California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Washington, New Jersey, Utah, Colorado, and Hawai'i , as well as Puerto Rico, and Washington DC.

In each state (Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada), health groups (led by the American Cancer Society) collected signatures to place comprehensive smoke-free workplace initiatives on the ballot. In a new tactic, opponents (led by tobacco and gambling interests) placed similar sounding, but vastly different, initiatives on the ballot. Voters overwhelmingly passed the health group initiatives and soundly defeated opponent initiatives.

"Although opponents spent more money, the media did a great job explaining the issues to voters," says Joe Cherner, president of SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc. "In a world where money usually wins, it's refreshing to see health come out on top. What a wonderful day for Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada workers, who will soon be able to enjoy safe, clean air in their workplace."

To see full election results for these issues, follow the links below...

Ohio: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/ElectionsVoter/electionResults.aspx

Ohio State Issue 5 - Yes on State Issue 5 for a Smoke-Free Ohio, No on State Issue 4

Arizona:

http://www.azsos.gov/results/2006/general/BM201.htm (Prop 201)

http://www.azsos.gov/results/2006/general/BM206.htm (Prop 206)

Arizona Prop 201/206 - Yes on Prop 201 for a Smoke-Free Arizona, No on Prop 206

Nevada: http://sos.state.nv.us/nvelection/2006StateWideGeneral/ElectionSummary.htm

Nevada Question 5 - Yes on Question 5 for a Smoke-Free Nevada, No on Question 4

For more information on Hawaii's new law, to make a complaint or help with compliance, visit www.hawaiismokefree.com. Information is also available by calling 211 or the State Department of Health, Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, (808) 586-5613 or (808) 810-8112 toll free. If you would like to read or download one of the brochures developed as a guide for the new law click on the appropriate link below:

• The Hawaii Smoke-Free Law: A Guide for Businesses
• The Hawaii Smoke-Free Law: General Public
• The Hawaii Smoke-Free Law: Restaurants and Bars Guide

http://www.callitquitshawaii.org/
The Quitline is free and a great resource for employers or individuals. Helping your employees that want to quit can be as simple as placing a note in your company newsletter with the contact information for the Quitline.

1) If you are a smoker, get a quit coach and fight the addiction for good! Quitting tobacco is one of the most important things you can do for your health as well as the health of those around you. Even if you have tried to stop smoking before, now is a great time to call the Hawai'i State Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW. It is a FREE telephone counseling service based right here in Hawai'i . They will help you find out what's been helpful in the past, what hasn't and assist you in setting and sticking with a quit plan.

2) Encourage a loved one to stop using tobacco. Remember cigarettes and other tobacco products are highly addictive. The support from friends and family will encourage a loved one to take the next step to a healthy lifestyle and give them the will to successfully quit!

3) Join the Tobacco Action Network! Legislative session begins on January 17th, 2007. When you register in our action network, we will keep you up-to-date on tobacco prevention measures at the State Capitol and at the local level. You will receive action alerts and can send emails to your legislators to let them know that you support tobacco prevention efforts. Sign up at www.tobaccofreehawaii.org - just click "Get Involved".

4) Join your local tobacco control coalition.

5) Make a donation to support the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai'i.

6) Thank a smoke-free establishment. When you go to a bar, restaurant or other workplace that recently went smoke-free (like the great new Smoke-Free Airports!!), tell the manager or owner thanks for the clean-air and let them know that you are a happier customer!

7) Make your condo/apartment or home a smoke-free zone. The Coalition is planning a new campaign for smoke-free homes in 2007. Contact us for more information.

Wishing you and your family good health and happiness for 2007!
~Deborah

Press and proponents of the law gathered at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Shell Bar for Governor Linda Lingle's press conference, officially recognizing the new law. Gov. Lingle welcomed the law as an important piece of legislation protecting the health of Hawai'i residents and visitors. A former smoker, the Governor called for compassion and understanding of people addicted to nicotine.

Director of Health Chiyome Fukino, M.D. commended the organizations, legislators and individuals who worked to pass the law.

"This law will bring Hawai'i closer to our goal of eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke, will improve our health, and will ultimately save lives," said Fukino.

Supporters of the law gathered at the O Lounge in the evening for a smoke-free celebration. Tobacco-Free Oahu coordinator Beth Kuch organized the event that featured entertainment and prizes.

"It's great to be here, at a bar, and not worry about the health risks of secondhand smoke," said Kuch.

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai'i has been working closely with businesses across the state for successful implementation. Packets of information have been distributed to bars, business owners and property managers. ALTRES, a staffing agency, supports the law through a no-cost program working with businesses to understand and comply with the law.

Hawai'i is the 14th state to join a national and international movement to protect people from the toxic chemicals of secondhand smoke. Last summer's release of U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona's comprehensive report on secondhand smoke further confirmed the importance of this law. The report concludes there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke exposure causes heart disease, respiratory illnesses and numerous types of cancer.

In the first year of funding, `Imi Hale engaged Native Hawaiians statewide though processes such as focus groups, surveys, and key informant interviews to identify cancer priorities. Five priorities for research and programming were identified during this time, one being lifestyle behavior changes that addressed smoking cessation, diet and exercise.

In 2001, through funding from the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawai`i and APPEAL (Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership), `Imi Hale began the "It's Not Hawaiian to Smoke" campaign, founded on the concept of increased individual confidence and enhanced community capacity. This initiative began the process of identifying stakeholders and partners, such as Hawaiian doctors and former smokers of Hawaiian ancestry, who were willing to share their knowledge and experiences to help Hawaiians quit smoking.

The campaign has since garnered the support of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, a confederation of fifty-one (51) Hawaiian Civic Clubs located throughout the State of Hawai`i and in the States of Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Utah and Virginia. The Association, in 2002 adopted a Resolution to promote tobacco prevention and control among its membership of over 5000. The Association's 47th Annual Convention, held October 2006 at the smoke-free Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel, button and placard incentives with the insignia, "Smoking is NOT a Hawaiian Tradition" were pre-tested with members participating in the two-day Health Education and Screening event. These materials will be incorporated in future tobacco cessation activities of the five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems.

`Imi Hale is also conducting workshops and trainings with its partners to provide hands-on technical assistance in health literacy, basic tobacco intervention skills, and intensive intervention skills. This transfer of knowledge and investment in tobacco control competency among community outreach staff and other tobacco cessation service providers in Hawai`i and the Pacific is key to the sustainability of this initiative.

The "It's Not Hawaiian to Smoke" campaign is providing the historical and cultural context for Hawaiian smokers as to why they should quit. They are also providing resources and tools to help them quit. The campaign is also building a supportive infrastructure committed to indigenous leadership, community-based development, and systems-wide impact. This initiative has grown over the past five years and its potential for creating a healthier Hawaiian population is promising. For more information, contact LorrieAnn Santos lsantos@papaolalokahi.org.

Outstanding Elected Leader
Senator Rosalyn H. Baker
Senator Baker was a chief champion in the State Legislature for the smoke-free work and public places bill. Throughout the process, she refused to take "no" for an answer and pushed the bills through the legislative process. In her position as Chair of the Health Committee, Sen. Baker has continued to support our efforts throughout the years and her tenacious efforts have been invaluable in our success in passing laws that better our community.

Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year
Ms. Krystal Pelayo
Krystal serves on the REAL Youth Board and has been an active member for more than three years. She has demonstrated leadership on many levels and is a skilled communicator. She has been engaged in legislative advocacy including submitting testimony on tobacco control bills and completing legislative visits. Recently, she was accepted to the American Legacy Foundation's Youth Board to represent Hawai'i.

Outstanding Adult Advocate of the Year
Mr. Don Weisman
Don has been a tobacco control advocate in Hawai'i for more than 10 years. He has worked for smoke-free work places, comprehensive smoke-free public places, increased tobacco taxes, protecting the tobacco settlement money for its intended use, licensing of tobacco retailers, prohibiting tobacco sales within a close proximity to schools, etc. His tireless efforts for the health of Hawaii's citizens certainly have earned him this award!
And
Mr. Tyson Suzuki
Tyson is a creative, passionate, well-spoken, and dedicated young man, who has been involved in tobacco control for more than four years. He has been a critical force in building and maintaining Hawaii's statewide anti-tobacco movement through presentations at schools and to community groups and is a mentor to REAL's youth leadership team. Recently, he joined the American Legacy Foundation Youth Leadership Board to represent Hawai'i. He also was accepted to be 1 of 100 youth participants from around the world for the first ever Global Youth Advocacy Training.

Outstanding Program or Service Provider in Tobacco Control
'Imi Hale

'Imi Hale and the five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems were selected as Outstanding Provider in Tobacco for their work in the area of increasing tobacco cessation and reducing disparities in tobacco use statewide and for their leadership, passion, and dedication to making Hawai`i tobacco free. The five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems provide a comprehensive intervention from state-based data that is enhanced with Hawaiian, island-specific data and adheres to the principles of community-based participatory research that include consensus, training, and capacity-building.

Outstanding Organization in Tobacco Control
American Heart Association of Hawai'i
The American Heart Association of Hawai'i (AHA) is an organization that takes the lead in tobacco control issues. During 2006, they fully supported the campaign to create smoke-free work and public places. Over the years, AHA has consistently contributed time, money and personnel to tobacco control efforts. AHA is a major contributor of funding and in-kind donations. Throughout the 2006 legislative campaign, AHA provided leadership, testimony, and constant surveillance of the legislative activities.

Outstanding Business of the Year
Hilo Hattie
Lena Young, the Vice President of Human Resources, for Hilo Hattie recently implemented a worksite smoking cessation program for her employees. Hilo Hattie was the first to work with the American Lung Association of Hawaii's Freedom From Smoking Clinic. Lena Young was willing to invest in the program to allow her workers the opportunity to attend the eight sessions because she understood the ramifications of tobacco use. Hilo Hattie truly believes in their employee health and wellness.

Honolulu Star-Bulletin—Media Champion of the Year
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin has been the strongest media supporter for reducing the hazards of tobacco in Hawai'i in recent years. Over the past two years, the paper has published six strong "banner" editorials, numerous opinion and news articles on tobacco control. Its self-initiated editorials have been timely, proactive, well-researched, and much appreciated by the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai'i and its partners.

Meet Your New Board of Directors:

Chair
Tony Saguibo, Assistant Vice President, Marketing
Hawai'i Medical Service Association

Chair Elect
Hye-ryeon Lee, Ph.D.
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Department of Speech and Communication

Immediate Past Chair
Stacy Evensen
VP, Government Affairs
Hawai'i Medical Service Association

Treasurer
Marilyn J. Gagen, CPA LLC

Communication, Evaluation and Systems Chair
Hali Robinett, MPH
Program Director
Cancer Information Service Pacific Region

Membership Chair
Vacant

Programs Chair
Heidi Smith
DoH - Tobacco Settlement Project Office
Community Outreach Coordinator

Policy Chair
John Hunt
Tobacco-Free Kauai

Fund Development Chair
Ana Jimenez-McMillan
Kalihi Palama Health Center
Smoking Cessation Program

Member-At-Large
Cynthia Goto, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Hawai'i Section

Member-At-Large
Senator Roz Baker
Hawai'i State Senator

Community Coalition Representative
Leimomi Shearer
Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi

Oahu Coalition Representative
Pedro Haro-Arvizu
Manoa Tobacco Cessation Program

"I'm really excited about bringing all these news skills and information back home to Hawai'i," said Denise Della, Senior at Baldwin HS.

Summer is the island leader for REAL, a statewide youth-led movement against the tobacco industry, and the president of Hui Ho`okupono on Molokai. It is a cultural leadership group made up of drug/alcohol/tobacco free advocates. With these two groups, she tries to involve as many teens as possible. These two groups worked together to help pass the smoke-free workplace law in 2006.

Summer is also affiliated with American Legacy in Washington D.C., which is the largest national public health foundation dedicated to preventing teens from smoking and providing resources to smokers who want to quit. Summer is passionate about what she does because most teens sit back and watch as other teens abuse themselves with deadly chemicals.

She decided to be the change she wanted to see in the world and took one step at a time to help native people and youth become better sober people. Summer says, "some adults may look at youth trying to change things as a joke, but if you're headstrong and believe in what you want and fight for it, they will look at you in a whole different way."

Below is her report on her experience in New Zealand.

When I arrived at the Manurewa Marae in New Zealand, I met other amazing indigenous peoples ranging from Native Americans to Native Argentineans. In light of the high levels of tobacco consumption among indigenous communities, WHO and the Ministry of Health of New Zealand in collaboration with Te Reo Marama (Maori Smoke-Free Coalition) organized this meeting. I was there not more than two hours, and I was already being interviewed for the Maori TV and radio stations.

The objectives of this conference were to have indigenous populations share practical experiences and lessons learned in the area of tobacco control policies/programs and to develop general guidelines for tobacco control among indigenous communities. Around the world there are 70 countries where smoking and lung disease among indigenous populations is considered a major problem. As native people, we are trying to promote participation of our people to help stop the industry from selling deadly products and using our cultures.

I stood in front of about 40 adults, scared and terrified, but determined to get my point across about my culture and the work that I do. They were totally interested, more than I expected, and I realized that youth play a big role. It is important that we involve all ages, from youth right up to kupuna, in this issue. There are about 100 native Hawaiians dying every year from lung cancer, and I'm trying to work with the youth to reduce this number. The industry spends $48.2 million advertising in Hawai'i out of $15.4 billion on advertising nationally.

Full Story
http://www.queens.org/news_stories/news_11_15_06.html

The training encompassed instruction on how to read and interpret evidence based studies and research articles, best practices in research, and how to translate that information for the public. Mayo model treatments and interventions, evidence for the outcomes, along with extensive training in motivational interviewing were part of the certification. The course was 8 hours daily with a 3.5 hour certification exam at the end.

What this training means to the Kalihi-Palama staff and clients served is four fully certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS), who can provide current evidence based information on tobacco treatments and interventions for physicians, hospitals, public health agencies, programs, as well as the community. They also provide tobacco treatment, and intervention on group and individual levels. This involves brief intervention, counseling and behavioral therapy, individualized treatment planning, medication recommendations, and relapse prevention.

Kalihi-Palama implemented cessation services in 2001 initially to perinatal women and later to all adults, primarily Asian Pacific Islanders. Ana Jimenez-McMillan as the only cessation counselor provided intensive services to patients, who wanted to quit. However, due to an expanding active caseload, increasing patient referrals, and other program directives, Ana was unable to service all patients and community referrals; as a result, three Health Care Homeless Project (HCHP) clinical providers along with Ana were certified as a TTS and developed a Tobacco Treatment Specialist Team (TTST). Later, they will develop an in-service training to HCHP staff on brief intervention and referral process. This will eventually increase KP's service to many more patients who seek tobacco cessation services.

The Team consists of:
Ana Jimenez McMillan, MPH
Mrs. Ana Jimenez McMillan received her Master of Public Health, at School of Public Health, University of Hawai'i. A former licensed Emergency Medical Technician, she provided ambulance and emergency room technician services. She completed both Mayo Clinic and University of Massachusetts Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) courses. Currently she is the Smoking Cessation Program Coordinator at KP Health Center. Mrs. Jimenez McMillan is a founding member for Ko'o Lau Loa Community Health and Wellness Center, plus a committee member for the Board.

Lisa Abbott, MS. FNP. CS. APRN-RX
Ms. Lisa Abbott spent most of her career working with underserved, chronically ill and high risk populations in Mental Health, Hawai'i Department of Health, Shriners Hospitals, and now currently employed by Kaaahi Clinic, Health Care Homeless Project, at Kalihi-Palama Health Center. Ms. Abbott received her Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Post Master Certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner both from the University of Hawai'i . She is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with Prescriptive Authority and member of National Health Care for the Homeless Clinicians Network.

Gilbert T Ikehara MSCP, CTTS
Currently employed at Kalihi Palama Health Center, Health Care for the Homeless Project as a Clinic Coordinator for Kohou and OHANA Clinics, as well as providing continuing Case Management services. He is also currently employed at Queens Medical Center as a Trauma Brief Interventionalist. Gilbert received a B.A. in Psychology "Cum Laude" and Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology both from Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawai'i.

Kelli L. K. Chun, MSW, LSW, CTTS
Kelli L.K. Chun, LSW received her bachelor's in psychology from the University of Arizona in 1999. Shortly after, she returned home to Hawai'i where she pursued a career in mental health. Miss Chun started working as a resident assistant at Safe Haven a transitional housing for the homeless and mentally ill with Mental Health Kokua, and later hired as a rehabilitation specialist. A year later, Kelli was hired as a case manager for Kalihi-Palama Health Center, where she has worked for the last five years. Kelli obtained Master of Social Work at University of Hawai'i in 2004.

As a member, you have many opportunities to get involved on varying levels from Board member to advocate. Together, we can work effectively to realize our goal of reducing the number of deaths caused by the use of tobacco products and secondhand smoke. If you are not already serving on one of our workgroups, we invite you to get involved with policy, fundraising, communication and evaluation, membership, cessation or prevention. Being active with a workgroup is just one way of expanding your network and keeping abreast of what is happening in your tobacco control community. Join now by going on-line at www.tobaccofreehawaii.com.

If you have a training, workshop or event that you would like included in the next newsletter please email it to diane@tobaccofreehawaii.org.

The Hawai'i Island Tobacco-Free Partnership, West Hawai'i partnered with Kealakehe High School's track and field/cross country teams to educate area businesses on Hawaii's new smoke-free law. West Hawai'i Today published an article on November 7, 2006 covering the story of Kealakehe's Coach David Bowden and his team. About 25 team members spent one morning with businesses to raise consciousness about the new law. Coach Bowden noted that "the students see the hazards of mainstream secondhand smoke and they're taking a stand. They're not attacking anyone, they are just letting people know about the new law and the ramifications of it." The West Hawai'i Today article quoted one of the team member's 17-year old Miyeko Inafuku, a junior on the team. "I don't like walking downtown and having people smoke and it just blows in my face…I like my clean air. Some people think it's cool, but it's not. It just makes you look weird and smell weird and it causes long-term health effects. It's just not worth it."

Mahalo to our West Hawai'i folks for a cool partnership with youth.

West Hawai'i
Chris Dein-Gaughen, Coordinator

The Tobacco-Free Kauai coalition worked with Kapaa Middle School Hawaiian Immersion Program to develop 10 PSA's aired prior to the new law going into effect on November 16. To listen to a few click on:

Not Hawaiian To Smoke
More Hawaiians Die From Lung Cancer
We Did It

The students did a great job. Mahalo to all who worked on this project.

Charles Roessler, aka Chazbo, with the late James Brown. A remembrance of an icon. Charles Roessler, Coordinator

The planning committee included Sandy McGuinness, Lisa Louie, Barbara Ann Keller, Anna Mayeda, Dr. Lorrin Pang, and Sue Kiang. The day of the event went well with the support of nine volunteers. Those that helped were Anna Mayeda, American Cancer Society (ACS), Sue Kiang, County of Maui Dept of Parks and Recreation, Mahealani Akau, Aloha House, Barbara Ann Keller, Maui Drug Court, Natalie Forsyth, Kaiser Permanente, Esther Martin, HMSA, Kathy Pang, ACS volunteer, Curt Okimoto, Department of Education, and Polly Busby, Dept of Health.

As a result of the day's activity, 30 Quit Kits were distributed and two individuals took information about upcoming (smokers' and former smokers') focus groups with Dr. Maddock (December 15). Students from the Doris Todd School measured pieces of cord 20 feet long (the distance that a smoker needs to be from any outside door) and pinned it to a "No Smoking" sign. These were popular give-aways..

Sandra McGuinness, Coordinator