FDA Regulation of Tobacco Products!

The House Energy and Commerce Committee this afternoon voted overwhelmingly, 38 to 12, to approve the bill to grant the FDA authority over tobacco products. The committee also defeated all amendments to the weaken the bill. This is the first time a House committee has ever approved such legislation, and the strong, bipartisan vote provides powerful momentum. We will provide additional information later on next steps. Today's victory would not have happened without the hard work of advocates across the country who have contacted members of Congress, written letters to the editor and op-ends, participated in press conferences, and taken other action in support of this legislation. So thank you to everyone who has worked to support this legislation!

US Smokeless Tobacco Company making it way into local events!

I just saw an advertisement for the Tough Enough to Wear Pink rodeo that is coming to the Resch Center in Green Bay on April 4-5th. Having just returned from the National Spit Tobacco Summit, I was acutely aware of the Copenhagen banner in the background footage. I called the Three Hills Rodeo company and they confirmed that US Smokeless is one of their sponsors for the rodeo series. At least for the Green Bay event, she noted that US Smokeless and/or Copenhagen will be included on the free rodeo program (500 printed for each event) that you pick up from the novelty booth, but there won't be a banner in the arena.

The Deanna Farve Hope Foundation that provides grants to uninsured and underinsured women with breast cancer is a partner for this event, and will receive a portion of the funds. I have contacted them and asked them to reconsider their partnership with an event that promotes smokeless tobacco use (known cause of oral cancer). Will you do the same? Their contact information is:
http://www.deannafavre4hope.com/hopefoundation/contact+us/default1.asp

This is a family event. Check out their promotion:
"Three Hills Rodeo brings you this World's Toughest Bulls and Broncs event. Friday night is Family Night - adult tickets are $5 off with advance purchase and kids receive a free cowboy hat. On Saturday, don't forget to wear your pink for "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night to help support breast cancer research. Remember kids 12 and under tickets are 1/2 price every day!"
Tobacco-free rodeo links:
http://www.bucktobacco.org/
http://www.givetobaccotheboot.com/

Three Hills Rodeo scheduled events in Wisconsin:
April
4-5 Resch Center Green Bay, WI World's Toughest Bulls & Broncs
18 Alliant Energy Center Madison, WI World's Toughest Bulls & Broncs
May 30-June 1 Wisconsin HS Rodeo Lancaster, WI WHSRA
July
16 Green Co. Fair Monroe, WI PRCA
August
13-14 Juneau Co. Fair Mauston, WI PRCA
16-17 Brown co. Fair DePere, WI PRCA

Contact information for Three Hills Rodeo to ask them to reconsider UST's sponsorship of their rodeo series: http://www.threehillsrodeo.com/index.html

Lt. Governor Lawton to Call for Action on Statewide Smoking Ban

Just incase your in town for lunch...stop on over...

Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton will urge the legislature to pass a statewide ban on smoking in all workplaces at 12:00 p.m. today, Thursday, March 6, 2008 at The Bar in Appleton.
Lt. Governor Lawton will be joined by Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna.
WHERE: The Bar
427 West College Avenue
Appleton
WHEN: 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 6, 2008

Would you like to meet Lance Armstrong?!?!

What: Lance Armstrong at the Citizens for Smoke-free Air Rally
When: Tuesday, March 4th
Day at the Capitol lasts from 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Rally goes from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Where: Monona Terrace in Madison
1 John Nolen Drive

RSVP here! (Free buses will be leaving from Milwaukee, Green Bay, Wausau, La Crosse, and Eau Claire)

Let your voice be heard!

Today is the Public Hearing for AB 834, which is the Assembly version of SB150, which would eliminate Smoking in all workplaces including bars and restaurants. Since this came up fast, I'm sure many of you can not be there to share your position in person, but you may still contact all members of the Assembly Public Health Committee. I am including the contact information for all of the committee members. I strongly encourage you to educate them TODAY on the impact of smoke free workplaces. If we do not voice our concerns, they assume there is no support (which we know is not true, since polls show that 2/3 of the state population indeed support 100% smoke free work sites- including bars and taverns). Make sure to include your name and address. It is also helpful to include your personal legislators in on any email correspondence. Please share with your friends, family's and co-workers. It's time!

Assembly Public Health Committee Chair: Representative Doc Hines
42nd District: Sauk, Marquette, Adams, Columbia
Telephone: (608) 266-7746 Or (888) 534-0042
District Telephone: (608) 586-5999
Email: Rep.Hines@legis.wisconsin.gov

Vice Chair: Representative Leah Vukmir
14th Assembly District: Wauwatosa, Elm Grove, West Allis
Telephone: (608) 266-9180
Email: Rep.Vukmir@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative: Joan Ballweg
41st Assembly District: Washura, Green Lake
Telephone: (608) 266-8077
Email: Rep.Ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative Terry Moulton
68th Assembly District : Eau Claire
Telephone: (608) 266-9172
Email: Rep.Moulton@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative Lee Nerison
96th Assembly District: Monroe, Vernon, Richland, Crawford
Telephone: (608) 266-3534 Or (888) 534-0096
District Telephone: (608) 634-4562
Email: Rep.Nerison@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative: Charles Benedict
45th Assembly District : Walworth
Telephone: (608) 266-9967
Email: Rep.Benedict@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative: Sheldon Wasserman
22nd Assembly District : North Shore: Brown Deer, River Hills, Glendale, Milwaukee, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point Bayside
Telephone: (608) 266-7671 Or (888) 534-0022
District Telephone: (414) 964-0663
Email: Rep.Wasserman@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative: Marlin Schneider
72nd Assembly District: Adams, Marquette, Washura
Telephone: (608) 266-0215 Or (888) 529-0072
District Telephone (715) 423-1223
Email: Rep.Schneider@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative Spencer Black
77th Assembly District: Dane
Telephone: (608) 266-7521
Email: Rep.Black@legis.wisconsin.gov

Please share your correspondence with me, as well as any responses you receive. (foster98@hotmail.com). Thank you for dedication to this effort.