ANNOUNCEMENT
January 12, 2003

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT CHILDREN & SECOND HAND SMOKE?
by Aaron Dority, MATCH Grassroots Organizer

Fifty-three thousand people across the country die annually from secondhand smoke exposure. Many of these people are children.

Unfortunately, in Connecticut our local elected officials are forbidden from protecting their residents from this carcinogenic substance. However, members of the Connecticut PTA now have the opportunity to support the MATCH (Mobilize Against Tobacco for Children ’s Health) Coalition in their efforts to protect our Connecticut citizens from secondhand cigarette smoke.

Children are most severely affected by secondhand smoke. As they inhale smoke, their heart rate and blood pressure increases. Initially, they may suffer allergic reactions. Prolonged exposure leads to middle ear infections, or bronchial, and other respiratory tract infections. Over the longer term, these children may develop asthma. In those who already have asthma, second hand smoke increases the frequency and severity of their disease. All of these children are suffering from ailments that would be prevented by taking simple steps to eliminate their exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke.

Last session, our lawmakers had the opportunity to protect Connecticut citizens from secondhand smoke exposure in public places. Unfortunately, legislators in the full House of Representatives never voted upon a bill to restore local control. However, this issue did gain tremendous momentum throughout the session. The local control bill, supported by the MATCH Coalition, passed its two mandatory committees, and it received enthusiastic support from 76 house members in the form of an amendment. At the local level, 105 mayors and first selectmen signed the MATCH Coalition ’s Petition to Protect Connecticut Kids. Despite its popularity, the bill was never called for a vote.

As we enter the next session, we can apply some of the lessons that we have learned over the past year. Most importantly, we have realized that this sort of legislative progress can only be achieved with strong and consistent grassroots support. Thousands of phone calls, emails, and letters were sent to our elected officials during the 2002 session asking them to support local control. Over 1,200 students rallied in front of the capitol at our 6th annual Youth Rally on Kick Butts day, April 3, 2002.All of these efforts combined to create a strong, tobacco control movement in the state legislature. In order to achieve success this year, we must not only sustain but also increase this grassroots pressure.

There are four important steps that you can take to contribute to success this year:

1. Fill out and return your MATCH interest cards that were mailed to local unit presidents in October 2002. Make sure to include all necessary information, including phone number and email address.

2. Write to your state senator, representative, and the governor. Contact me at Dority@matchcoalition.com for sample letters and more information, or CLICK HERE for assistance in contacting your legislators.

3. Attend the 7th annual Youth Rally on April 2, 2003.Contact Leah Stroman at Stroman@matchcoalition.com or visit our website at www.matchcoalition.com for more details, including registration information.

4. Check our website for information regarding fact sheets, student activism, such as Students Teaching Against Tobacco in Connecticut (STATIC), and other helpful resources.