Maine Youth Action Network

February 2007 News to Use--Anti-Tobacco Advocacy

NEWS TO USE
from the Maine Youth Action Network
February 2007
- vol. 1, issue 5
Featured Articles
Web Resources
Topic of the Month: Anti-Tobacco Advocacy
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In the 1950’s you could smoke in hospitals. Just a few years ago, it wasn't uncommon to find yourself in a restaurant next to someone with a cup of coffee and a cigarette. Fortunately for everyone, those days are gone, at least in Maine, and the truth about nicotine's addictive nature and tobacco's affects on health are definitely out of the bag. Those changes didn't happen magically, though--we have youth & adult activists across our state to thank.

Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the last of tobacco. Not even close. Big Tobacco companies still spend millions of dollars marketing their products, even to young people. According to information from The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, more than one in five Maine youth use tobacco products, many beginning as young as 12 or 13. In Maine, 79,000 young people are exposed to secondhand smoke in their home.

Fortunately, there are hundreds of youth & adults in Maine who are passionate about continuing the fight against Big Tobacco, helping people in their communities quit smoking, and challenging their legislators to create policies for a healthier world. This News to Use issue is all about anti-tobacco advocacy--groups that are doing it, websites & resources you can use to do it, and events you can go to connect with others who want to make Maine a tobacco-free place.

February Fact
1,700 Maine children & youth (under 18) become daily smokers each year.

~"The Toll of Tobacco in Maine," Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. See the full report in the Tobacco in the News section below.
Youth Take Action
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Ignite Oxford County Participates in a National Day of Action
by Thomas T.J. Williams, Ignite Oxford County

Ignite empowers the youth of America to hold the tobacco industry accountable at every level by directing public officials to act responsibly. Ignite engages in local and statewide advocacy for tobacco policy change, pressures politicians to reject campaign contributions from tobacco companies and their interests, informs voters of tobacco issues in key elections, and coordinates national political efforts. Ignite Oxford County is a new group and is Maine's first chapter.

The Oxford County chapter participated in Ignite’s National Day of Action on February 19th. This day mobilizes youth around the nation to get together and tell people about what tobacco companies do and insist that the FDA get approval to regulate tobacco products. During the week of the National Day of Action, Ignite members created a memorial for those who have died due to tobacco or tobacco-related illnesses. Participants called attention to their memorial by standing with medical masks over their faces to symbolize the way victims of tobacco have been silenced. The group had also planned a demonstration called "Arsenic Lollipops” highlighting the need for FDA attention to the ingredients of cigarettes, but this campaign was postponed due to bad weather.

Ignite Oxford County has applied and was approved for a grant from Ignite National to get started and is now looking for more grants and donations. The group started officially at Mountain Valley High School and is going to move throughout the county. It is open to anybody in the age range of 13 and 24 in Oxford County. Email T.J. at ignite4maine@ignitegeneration.org or check out their website to see what is going on.

Ignite is calling out to the whole state of Maine to help in the ongoing battle against tobacco. If you are interested in starting a chapter in your area, contact Thomas (T.J.) Williams at ignite4maine@ignitegeneration.org for all the resources that you will need.

Build Your Skills
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This month's skill builder is Ignite’s Grassroots Organizing Guide.

Find practical information about how to start a chapter, and ideas & tools for taking action! Learn about activities like the “banner drop” “flash mob” & “numbers campaign” as well as tips on working with the media, interacting with legislators and fundraising.

Show Me the Money
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The Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community is an annual award in which up to ten high school seniors from around the United States are honored for their community service activities. Activities must foster longer term community change and be focused in socially and/or economically isolated communities. The Award is accompanied by a gift of $5,000, dispensed over two years. Recipients may use the Award at their discretion.
The Award Goes to...
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Ellsworth High School’s Student Health Awareness Group was recognized with one of five statewide awards given by the American Lung Association of Maine at their Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon in South Portland on Friday, September 15th. The award was given to the distinguished group for demonstrating “excellence in youth advocacy and leadership in educating peers about tobacco prevention.”

At the first “Stop. Quit. Resist!” Youth Anti-Tobacco Summit sponsored by the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine, a presentation by Yes Duffy, a former MTV “Road Rules” cast member, ignited a fire inside the group members to advocate against Big Tobacco Companies. This presentation inspired the students to create their own powerpoint which they presented to the local middle school students. Later in the year, group members participated in a rally for higher tobacco taxes at the State House in Augusta. Advocating against Big Tobacco soon became the group’s major focus although they are involved in many other activities that promote healthy living.

Their passion for advocacy against the tobacco companies led them to be asked by the MYAN to head the Youth Planning Team for the 2nd Annual Maine Youth Anti-Tobacco Summit. The event united approximately 100 youth from grades 8-12 together from all over Maine to rally against Big Tobacco, educate one another on basic tobacco issues, and discuss ways to prevent youth tobacco use. The students planned all aspects of the summit, from location to workshop content, as well as helped emcee the event and facilitate workshops.

“I'm so proud of them. I don't think they realize how important this award is for themselves, the school, and the community. They're wonderful and I'm so lucky to be able to work with them.” says Student Health Awareness Group Advisor and Substance Abuse Counselor, Gina Veits.

Accepting the award on behalf of the group was Ellsworth High School graduate Jackie Royal, one of the original members of the Student Health Awareness Group. He extended gratitude to the American Lung Association of Maine, The Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine, The Maine Youth Action Network, and Union River Healthy Communities for their continued support and encouragement. Jackie also gave a special “thank you” to his fellow group members and group Advisor, Gina Veits, for sharing the same passion around tobacco prevention and control and for always supporting each other.
Calendar of Events
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Want to get the word out about events in your community? Please email Molly O’Connell at mlo@propeople.org to let us know about what’s going on near you! Events will be published on the MYAN website & in the MYAN News to Use when timing allows.

  • When Turtles Make Love: Real Talk
    Add Verb Production's Newest Play Premieres March 1-4.

  • STRIVE ROCKS! Dance Marathon
    A fundraiser to benefit STRIVE, a program for youth with disabilities.
    March 3rd & 4th at the USM Sullivan Gym.
    Must raise $35 to benefit STRIVE to attend.

  • National Farm to Cafeteria and Food Policy Conference
    March 16-19, 2007, Baltimore, MD
  • Girls' Day at the State House
    March 22, 2007
    For 8th grade girls. Organized by the Maine Women's Policy Center.

  • Kick Butts Day
    Wednesday, March 28th
    The first registered event in each state will receive a free Bonus Kit of ten "1200" red wristbands, and every registered event will receive a free Registration Kit including one of our wristbands and a pack of stickers.

  • Bullying Prevention Training for School Coordinators
    March 26-30, 2007, University of Southern Maine, Portland
    FMI call Pam Anderson at 780-4991.

  • Beyond the Basics of Suicide Prevention III
    April 4, 2007, Sheraton South Portland Hotel
    Early registration deadline March 16, 2007

  • National & Global Youth Service Day
    April 20-22, 2007

  • Intensive Tobacco Treatment Training and Conference
    April 25 & 26, 2007, Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn, Maine
    The conference will feature internationally and nationally recognized tobacco specialists on both days of the conference.

  • 3rd Annual Anti-Tobacco Youth Summit--Stop.Quit. RESIST!
    April 26-27, 2007, Augusta Civic Center
    Sponsored by the Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine and organized by MYAN and a statewide youth planning team.

  • Take Back the Night
    A night to speak out against sexual violence.
    April 27th, 6:30-8pm, Portland's Monument Square

  • National Conference on Tobacco or Health
    October 24-26, 2007 Minneapolis, MN

  • Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth Conference
    2007 Theme: TRANSFORMING Relationships: For the Common Good
    November 8-10, 2007, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, NY
    • MYAN Announcements
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    3rd Annual Maine Youth Stop. Quit. RESIST! Anti-Tobacco Summit Update
    Save the Date! April 26th & 27th, 2007 at the Augusta Civic Center, sponsored by the Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine and organized by MYAN and a statewide youth planning team.

    Look for the event brochure & registration information coming in early March, but check the Summit page for more event information now!

    This year’s keynote speaker will be Victor DeNoble, a former researcher for Philip Morris and a key witness in the federal government’s case against the tobacco industry. In his keynote address on the 26th, DeNoble will discuss the addictive nature of nicotine and the tobacco industry’s attempt to hide health effects from the public. In addition, DeNoble will be conducting two workshops on April 27th.

    Network Member Announcements
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    NO BUTS! Star Store – A Leader In Responsible Retailing
    Three Healthy Maine Partnership (HMP) Youth Advocacy Program (YAP) groups will be participating in a pilot of the NO BUTS! Star Store initiative designed to encourage tobacco retailers to reduce the advertising of tobacco products in their stores. The initiative includes conducting a store survey of tobacco advertising similar to the survey done in “Operation Storefront,” but unlike “Operation Storefront”, this initiative supports a working relationship between the YAP youth and the tobacco retailers. Stores that reduce their advertising will receive Star Store decals and other promotional items for their stores as well as local recognition. To be eligible for this Star Store status, a store must have first received the “NO BUTS! for kids here” training. The pilot will take place from February to April 2007. Plans are to roll out the initiative to all HMP YAP groups in the fall of 2007.

    Seeking Tobacco Policy Examples
    Healthy Portland is looking for sample tobacco policies for non-medical residential assisted living facilities. If anyone has worked with a similar facility and would be willing to share their experiences, please contact Bethany Sanborn at bms@portlandmaine.gov or 874-8634.

    The Kennebec Valley YMCA is also seeking a sample tobacco-free policy from another YMCA. Contact Joanne Joy at 582-8011 to help.

    Happy Anniversary 2-1-1
    2-1-1 Maine celebrated its first anniversary on February 7, 2007. 2-1-1 Maine is a health and human services information and referral service system. If you need help finding services for yourself or someone you know, call 2-1-1.

    Calling All Bands!
    The Western Maine Healthy Community Coalition is organizing a Battle of the Bands on March 17 from 2 PM to 10 PM at the VFW Hall in Harrison.
    To participate, register in advance with either Cinda at cindasmithroy@yahoo.com, or Libby at graffame@wmhcc.org.
    All bands must create an anti-drug song with clean/clear lyrics. The winner will receive $100 and their song will be promoted on the public TV channel. Runners-up will receive prizes (Ipods, gift certificates, etc).
    This is a drug-free, alcohol-free event. Admission is free!

    Would you like to make an announcement through News to Use? Email Molly at mlo@propeople.org. MYAN will include appropriate announcements when the timing of issues allows.
    Call For Stories
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    Inspire others throughout the state by sharing your story of how you are making positive change in Maine. We're interested in what you are doing in your community. Tell us your success stories and accomplishments and we will highlight them in our newsletter!

    Next month's topic will be Physical Activity & Nutrition. To submit YOUR story, contact Derek!

    Youth whose stories are published in News to Use will receive a $10 stipend!

    Deadline for submissions: Monday, March 12th!

    Join the Network: Register Your Group
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    The Maine Youth Action Network is expanding its network of individuals and groups around Maine who are making a difference! This will result in MYAN having an improved capacity to support you and to connect you to the ideas and experiences of other groups doing similar work and to new resources & tools.

    Whether you’re a long-time MYAN participant or a program that wants to get involved, we need you to fill out our survey. Fill out the survey TODAY and pass it on to others who will benefit!

    Disclaimer: Please note providing information from other organizations does not constitute endorsement of their publications, nor is the Maine Youth Action Network, Department of Health and Human Services, the Muskie Institute or the People’s Regional Opportunity Program responsible for the content or materials highlighted from other organizations in our e-newsletter or information posted on any of these organizations' web sites.

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    Maine Youth Action Network

    email: dsl@propeople.org  
    phone: 207.874.0060