ABC/ Gaming Subcommittee Votes to Kill Smoke Free Air Bills Passed in the Senate With an unrecorded voice vote, the members of the House of Delegates ABC/Gaming subcommittee of the General Laws committee voted to kill the smoke free air bills that passed in the Senate.
The full General Laws committee will not have the opportunity to vote on the bills.
Despite this disappointing vote, the Virginians for a Healthy Future Coalition remains committed to advocating for smoke free indoor air.
With over 88% of Virginians agreeing that all workers should be protected from secondhand smoke, there is obviously strong support for the legislation and we will continue to remind our elected officials to listen their constituents and support smoke free indoor air legislation in the future.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
CDC Report Calls on States to Boost Medicaid Tobacco Cessation Coverage
From RWJF News Digest:
CDC Report Calls on States to Boost Medicaid Tobacco Cessation Coverage
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called on states to dramatically increase their Medicaid tobacco dependency treatment coverage. The CDC report cited the Healthy People 2010 goal of instituting total health insurance coverage for evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments in all 51 state Medicaid programs, AHA News Now reports.
CDC Report Calls on States to Boost Medicaid Tobacco Cessation Coverage
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called on states to dramatically increase their Medicaid tobacco dependency treatment coverage. The CDC report cited the Healthy People 2010 goal of instituting total health insurance coverage for evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments in all 51 state Medicaid programs, AHA News Now reports.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Opportunity to Testify
Request from VFHF (www.smokefreevanow.org):
We have just learned that the Senate clean indoor air bills (smoking ban bills) are going to be considered and voted on in the ABC/ Gaming subcommittee this Thursday, February 14th one hour after the adjournment of Session. Session should not last more than 30 minutes or so as they will not have a lot of bills on which to vote. I expect the meeting to start around 1:30 pm.
Would any of you ( or individuals from the association with which you work) be available to come to House Room C in the General Assembly Building again this Thursday and be in attendance and/or testify?
Please contact: Nicole Pugar, Coalition Organizer , Virginians for a Healthy Future
(804) 225- 5828 or Nicole@vfhf.org
We have just learned that the Senate clean indoor air bills (smoking ban bills) are going to be considered and voted on in the ABC/ Gaming subcommittee this Thursday, February 14th one hour after the adjournment of Session. Session should not last more than 30 minutes or so as they will not have a lot of bills on which to vote. I expect the meeting to start around 1:30 pm.
Would any of you ( or individuals from the association with which you work) be available to come to House Room C in the General Assembly Building again this Thursday and be in attendance and/or testify?
Please contact: Nicole Pugar, Coalition Organizer , Virginians for a Healthy Future
(804) 225- 5828 or Nicole@vfhf.org
New Guide to Establishing Smoke-Free Policies Published Partnership for Prevention
New Guide to Establishing Smoke-Free Policies Published Partnership for Prevention has released a new publication, Smoke-Free Policies: Establishing a Smoke-Free Ordinance to Reduce Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in Indoor Worksites and Public Places. This evidence-based tool provides step-by-step guidance on building support for and implementing a smoke-free ordinance in community and worksite settings. Web links to additional tools and resources are given throughout to assist with planning and implementation. Download the PDF.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Take Action & Other Information from Smoke Free VA Now!
Are you ready to take action to let your legislators know that you support smoke free air?Tell your legislators that you want a smoke free Virginia now!
Want to join the movement?
Have your organization sign the Smoke Free Virginia Now! resolution to become a campaign supporter, or join the Virginians for a Healthy Future coalition.
Want to discuss the latest news?Visit our Smoke Free VA Now! blog
Want to join the movement?
Have your organization sign the Smoke Free Virginia Now! resolution to become a campaign supporter, or join the Virginians for a Healthy Future coalition.
Want to discuss the latest news?Visit our Smoke Free VA Now! blog
Friday, January 4, 2008
Regional Collaborative Meeting of Tobacco-Free Initiatives
Dear CINCH Members and Community Partners,
Please plan to join CINCH’s Allies Against Asthma’s workgroup, the Virginia Beach Tobacco-free Coalition, the Chesapeake Coalition and other community partners on Monday, January 14, 2008** from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in E.V. Williams Hall at Eastern Virginia Medical School to discuss and coordinate efforts on local tobacco-free initiatives. The attached flyer will provide you with more information on this important meeting. If you need driving directions to the meeting location, please let me know.
If you plan to attend it is important that you RSVP to CINCH@evms.edu ensure we have enough refreshments.
**Reminder to AAA Workgroup Members – this meeting takes the place of the January AAA workgroup meeting originally scheduled for 1/21/08.
Please plan to join CINCH’s Allies Against Asthma’s workgroup, the Virginia Beach Tobacco-free Coalition, the Chesapeake Coalition and other community partners on Monday, January 14, 2008** from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in E.V. Williams Hall at Eastern Virginia Medical School to discuss and coordinate efforts on local tobacco-free initiatives. The attached flyer will provide you with more information on this important meeting. If you need driving directions to the meeting location, please let me know.
If you plan to attend it is important that you RSVP to CINCH@evms.edu ensure we have enough refreshments.
**Reminder to AAA Workgroup Members – this meeting takes the place of the January AAA workgroup meeting originally scheduled for 1/21/08.
Governor's Press Conference - VAB, Jan 7th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Falvey, co-owner Hot Tuna Restaurant, Direct 757-717-1002
______________________________________________________________________
WHO: Governor Timothy Kaine
WHAT: Press Conference on Smoking Ban for Restaurants
WHEN: Monday, January 7, 2008, 10:30am -11:15am
WHERE: HOT TUNA Restaurant, 2817 Shore Drive, VA Beach, VA 23451 Map/Directions www.hottunavb.com
WHY: Governor Kaine is trying once again to encourage the Virginia General Assembly to pass a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants to protect against the adverse health effects of second-hand smoke and to ensure a level playing field in the industry for those business owners opting to provide smoke-free environments. Even though polling suggested two-thirds of Virginians would prefer a statewide smoking ban, Kaine's amendment to HB 2422 was rejected by the Virginia House last year. Kaine, however, is determined to continue his push for healthier restaurant environments for employees and customers. The issues that led to the proposal's defeat last year, including a concern over the definition of restaurant, have been worked out for this year. According to Kaine, "there is a way to do a restaurant ban that is a much targeted ban that won’t have the effect of being too broad."
January 3, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Falvey, co-owner Hot Tuna Restaurant, Direct 757-717-1002
______________________________________________________________________
WHO: Governor Timothy Kaine
WHAT: Press Conference on Smoking Ban for Restaurants
WHEN: Monday, January 7, 2008, 10:30am -11:15am
WHERE: HOT TUNA Restaurant, 2817 Shore Drive, VA Beach, VA 23451 Map/Directions www.hottunavb.com
WHY: Governor Kaine is trying once again to encourage the Virginia General Assembly to pass a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants to protect against the adverse health effects of second-hand smoke and to ensure a level playing field in the industry for those business owners opting to provide smoke-free environments. Even though polling suggested two-thirds of Virginians would prefer a statewide smoking ban, Kaine's amendment to HB 2422 was rejected by the Virginia House last year. Kaine, however, is determined to continue his push for healthier restaurant environments for employees and customers. The issues that led to the proposal's defeat last year, including a concern over the definition of restaurant, have been worked out for this year. According to Kaine, "there is a way to do a restaurant ban that is a much targeted ban that won’t have the effect of being too broad."
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