Tobacco Free Teens

Tobacco free teens start with tobacco free education. The Health Department recently sent out the following information about an anti-tobacco bill sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy. Here is the body of their message asking for help:

We've just learned that Senator Edward Kennedy plans to reintroduce the FDA regulation of tobacco bill in the Senate THIS WEEK. We need your assistance in generating as many calls as possible into your Senators' offices asking them to cosponsor this lifesaving legislation. We expect Senator Kennedy's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee to debate the legislation in the coming weeks and for the full Senate to consider the legislation soon thereafter. Last year, the legislation had more than 60 cosponsors and we will need to get those Senators back on as cosponsors, as well as add additional new cosponsors this year.

It is important that your Senators hear from you as soon as possible! You can reach your Senator by clicking here <http://action.tobaccofreekids.org/site/R?i=kpP4BFvw_iivI8J29hkzCQ..>. All you need is your phone...clicking the link will take you to your Senator's phone number, talking points for your call, and a brief form so you can let us know how the call went. The call will take no longer than 2 to 3 minutes. The message is: COSPONSOR the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which provides for effective FDA regulation of tobacco products. Click here to call today<http://action.tobaccofreekids.org/site/R?i=paFN_AOMev4T9Ph1lMdNLQ..>.

We might think the tobacco battle is over, but just yesterday I saw an ad in this month's Vogue showing a beautiful young woman holding a cigarette with the caption, "Life is Rich." I was kind of taken aback - back to 1985 when certain ads showed lithe young women who had "come a long way, baby," and my mother passed away from lung cancer. Not everyone who smokes will get lung cancer - some will get asthma, heart disease, or emphysema. But, why risk it at all with your child's life? Tobacco free is the only option.
-------Melony