dc-announce

Greetings smokefree supporters!

We've had almost two years of enjoying smokefree air in DC's workplaces, and not
surprisingly, you haven't heard much from us, because things are going really
well. Few violations have been reported, and workers and patrons are happy.
Carol Schwartz, the D.C. Councilmember who held up the smokefree bill for three
years, was booted out of her seat. Tobacco-Free Families, a new group organized
under the auspices of the American Lung Association of DC, is working hard to
help people quit smoking (if you know someone who wants to quit, they can call
-800-QUIT-NOW).

We write you today to tell you a few things:

1) We're moving this announcement list to Google. If you want to continue to
hear from us about DC-related smokefree news, you will need to re-subscribe to
our new list, http://www.smokefree.net/dc-announce. Just put in your e-mail and
you're good to go.

2) A coordinated effort has been launched in Virginia to make that state
smokefree. The coalition is spearheaded by the American Cancer Society, the
American Heart Association and the American Lung Association of Va. They work
with a much larger coalition called Virginians for a Healthy Future (VFHF). They
are doing petition drives, organizing a citizen lobbying effort in advance of
the Virginia legislative session, which starts in January, and putting together
a great campaign.

They have created a list serve just for that effort. We invite you to join it,
especially if you live or work in Virginia! You can sign up by going to
www.smokefreevanow.org or, by contacting the coalition coordinator, Nicole Pugar
at nicole@vfhf.org or (804) 225-5828. We encourage you to get on the list, learn
what's happening and get involved!

Citizen participation is what prompted the DC Council to pass the District
smokefree workplaces bill in 2006, and that's what it will take to move the
Virginia Legislature.  While you're at smokefreevanow.org, take a moment to
contact your legislator at http://action.smokefreevanow.org

So please, go today to smokefreevanow.org and help make Virginia smokefree!

3) DC's cigarette tax increase of $1 per pack went into effect on Oct. 1, making
the total tax $2 per pack. Unfortunately, it did not include a tax on little
cigars, which are sold like cigarettes (in packs of 20) and are growing in
popularity, especially with DC youth. Since 2005, little cigar use has increased
40 percent by DC youth, who are attracted to the flavors offered by Big Tobacco,
like cherry, orange crush, and others. For more information about little cigars
in DC, check out the Washington Post article from Nov 4, Big Taxes Don't Touch
Little Cigars
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/11/03/ST2008110301379.h
tml).

That's it.

Thanks! Please sign up for those lists!

Tac Tacelosky and Angela Bradbery
Co-founders, Smokefree DC