Smoke-Free Dallas Racks Up the Endorsements

The Smoke-Free Dallas campaign continues gain endorsements. Last week the Dallas Morning News wrote another editorial on the benefits of smoke-free air. This is at least the third in the last few months:

“The Dallas City Council's proposal to ban smoking in bars and pool halls is entirely consistent with its public-health obligations. It's also common sense.

Click here for the full story.

And today Lance Armstrong wrote an Op-Ed that appeared in the DMN:

“The Dallas City Council has a great opportunity to make a major advance against cancer this fall, and I am honored to add my voice to the many urging them to extend the ban on smoking.”

Secondhand smoke is also a leading risk factor for heart disease and other serious health problems. Click here for the rest.

Note: You may have to be registered to view the articles from the DMN, but's its free if you wish to sign up.

Keep in mind, we are less than two weeks away from the vote. Visit http://www.smokefreetexasnow.org/ to ensure Dallas is the next city to go Smoke-Free.

Brian Bowser
American Heart Association
512.433-7169
Brian.Bowser@heart.org

Smoke-Free Dallas: One Step Closer

Yesterday, a committee of the Dallas City Council met again to discuss strengthening the current local ordinance. The committee recommended a smoke-free law that would include ALL workplaces and make Dallas completely Smoke-Free.

The proposal will be heard next Wednesday, December 3rd in front of the full City Council. A vote could take place on December 10th! This is a big step in the right direction of making Dallas the next major city to go Smoke-Free.

But our work is not done. We need to continue letting council members know the importance of protecting all workers from the harmful affects of secondhand smoke. Here’s what you can do:

-Go to http://www.smoke-freetexasnow.org/ and take action today.
-Send the website above to 10 of your friends, family, and collegueges in Dallas to help spread the word
-Attend the December 10th Council meeting to show your support. Email me if you can make it and receive a free Smoke-Free Texas t-shirt.

Thanks!

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator
American Heart Association

Brian.Bowser@heart.org

Smoke-Free Dallas Needs Your Help

Things are heating up in the fight to make Dallas smoke-free. Last night a special committee of the Dallas City Council met to further discuss strengthening the local ordinance. Big tobacco was out in full force – but so were we. We need to continue to let the Mayor and City Council know Dallas residents want smoke-free air.

Please visit http://www.SmokeFreeTexasNow.org to send your letter of support to the Mayor and City Council. In just two clicks you can pave the way for clean air and a healthier city.

The committee will meet next Monday 11/24 and a vote by the full council could take place as soon as December 3rd. Now is the time to show your support!

Brian Bowser

Smoke-Free Corpus Christi

Greetings! We are making progress with the Corpus Christi Smoke Free coalition! Below are some highlights:

We have secured the Mayor’s support for strengthening the city’s current smoke-free ordinance, as well as support from some council members. We anticipate seeing this item on the city council agenda on November 18 and NOW is the time to show Mayor Garrett and the city council your support.

In addition to mayor and city council support, we recently received a resolution in support from the Nueces County Medical Society. NCMS is one of the area’s well-respected health organizations, so this is an important measure of support. Their support, along with the Corpus Christi Caller Times and a host of local community organizations, are important to helping us advocate before the city leaders.

Our efforts to reach out online increased with the debut of the coalition website. Volunteers can find our more details about the coalition, the effects of secondhand smoke, business impact data, etc. Volunteers can also sign up for the coalition through the site. Please visit wwww.smokefreecorpuschristi.org

The next coalition meeting is Friday, October 24th at noon at the American Cancer Society office. It’s located at 4101 South Alameda in Corpus. Please feel free to join us!

Texas Legislature—The Interim

The Texas Legislature adjourned May 28th 2007 and won’t reconvene until January 13th 2009. While we are entering the first weeks of Fall it may seem like the dogs day of summer at the Texas Capitol. No state laws can be passed during the interim period that we are currently in, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done.

Each legislative committee holds their own interim hearings to study issues that affect all Texans, there was a primary election last spring and there will be a general election next month, and each member is developing their own agenda for the upcoming session.

That makes it all the more critical for AHA to get our priorities on the radar of lawmakers now. We simply can’t afford to wait until the beginning or middle of the legislative session to ask for Smoke-Free air, or improved physical education; our window of opportunity is just too small. Lawmakers need to hear from us year round on the devastating impact that heart disease and stroke has on Texans.

That is why I’m asking you to send letters of support to your lawmakers today on Smoke-Free Texas and Childhood Obesity. Take action now and help set the stage for a successful 81st Legislative Session in Texas.

You’re the Cure.


Brian Bowser
American Heart Association
512.433-7169
Brian.Bowser@heart.org

I'm Just a Bill

It's always a good idea to refresh ourselves on the basics of government--especially if School House Rock is giving the tutorial. Remember "I'm Just a Bill"?




"I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still
Just a bill..."

Classic!

Special Message: Hurricane Ike

Our Hearts are with Hurricane Victims

This is a special message in light of Hurricane Ike and the havoc that it wreaked along the Texas Gulf Coast this past weekend. The American Heart Association sends its regards to all those affected by the storm and wishes a speedy reconstruction of areas that experienced damages. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and property that was experienced over the weekend.

While the Texas coast was hit hard and thousands of individuals are either displaced or without power this provides an opportunity to pull together as a state and become stronger.

If you would like to either volunteer time or donate money to the reconstruction effort please visit http://www.redcross.org/. Your time and money will help provide food, shelter and basic living necessities to those in need. Here are other helpful links:

-National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System: https://asd.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm

-FEMA Ike information: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/2008/ike/index.shtm

Health Warning

The impact of a hurricane causes more than physical damage to our neighborhoods - it also causes personal stress. In these times of stress former smokers can easily fall back into old habits. If you or someone you know is being tempted by an old addiction please contact The Texas Tobacco Quitline.

The Texas Tobacco Quitline, 1-877-937-7848 is available to help Texas smokers kick the habit, reduce stress, and ultimately improve the quality of their lives. For additional cessation resources visit: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/tobacco/

Thanks to everyone helping with the recovery effort. The collective action of dedicated individuals can truly make a difference in the lives of others.

Sincerely,

Brian Bowser
American Heart Association

Heart Disease and Stroke. You're the Cure