September 30, 2014

Stanton A. Glantz, PhD

ACS CAN takes a step toward holding California politicians accountable for taking tobacco money

A couple days ago ACS CAN in California launched its website to reward California politicians who have accepted ACS' challenge to swear off tobacco money,
 
This is a step in the right direction, but the real need is to hold those who do take tobacco money, including Governor Jerry Brown, accountable (not just leave them off the list of "good guys"). 
 
Here is their press release:
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
September 29, 2014
 
Contact: Stephanie Winn McCorkle
Associate Director of Media Advocacy, Western Region
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: 916 802-4033
Email: [email protected]
 
 
 “SNUFF TOBACCO MONEY OUT OF CALIFORNIA POLITICS”
LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO EXPOSE POLITICANS
 
SACRAMENTO – Nearly 50 candidates and officeholders have taken the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) up on its challenge to “just say no” to Big Tobacco campaign money.  With the launch of its www.notobaccomoney.org website today, September 29, 2014, ACS CAN goes public with the names of candidates who have signed the pledge to swear off tobacco campaign cash.
 
“The tobacco companies have spent $63 million on campaign contributions and lobbying in the last five years,” said Lori Bremner, a member of the ACS CAN national Board of Directors, cancer survivor and Sonoma resident.  “In that time, the tobacco companies have successfully stymied every significant legislative effort that would have helped people quit smoking, prevented youth from starting or protected people from second hand smoke.  The tobacco companies have a stranglehold on the legislature and it is time to change that.”
 
The U.S. Surgeon General’s report, The Health Consequences of Smoking, released in January, reported that more than 20 million premature deaths over the last half century can be attributed to cigarette use.  Lung cancer alone kills 13,000 Californians each year, more than prostate, breast and colon cancers combined.  In fact, 1 out of every 3 cancer deaths is due to tobacco.
 
Starting in July, ACS CAN sent letters to every candidate for legislative or statewide office and officeholders who were not termed out, urging them to reject contributions from tobacco companies and their subsidiaries, and asking a simple question; “Will you reject the deception, pain and suffering that fund campaign contributions from tobacco companies and will you stand with ACS CAN and help us Snuff Tobacco Money out of California Politics?”  Anyone who takes tobacco campaign cash is essentially siding with the tobacco companies to the detriment of public health. 
 
California is failing miserably when it comes to tobacco control, according to a national report issued in August by ACS CAN. In fact, the state is far behind the rest of the nation even though California was once a national leader in implementing strong tobacco control policies.  To view ACS CAN’s How Do You Measure Up? report, visit http://www.acscan.org/content/report-cards/.
 
 
The poor score is no surprise to ACS CAN.  As the flow of tobacco campaign cash increases into California, critical steps forward in tobacco policy are sharply receding. 
 
“Our tobacco tax  is one of the lowest in the country, even lower than in Texas, and funding for smoking prevention education and cessation is a mere 16 percent of the level recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC),” said ACS CAN Vice President, California Government Relations Jim Knox.  “Additionally, there is insufficient smoking cessation coverage for Medi-Cal patients even though some of the highest smoking rates are found in low-income Californians.  Why are we not making progress?  Because of the tremendous influence of Big Tobacco campaign cash.”
 
To view who has taken the Snuff Tobacco Money out of California Politics pledge, go to www.notobbaccomoney.org.  Absent names will speak volumes.
 
 
 
 
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