With rates of smokeless tobacco use by high school boys rising, ten major medical and public health groups have joined together to launch a coordinated campaign urging Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) to ban tobacco use by players, managers, coaches and other staff at major league ballparks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, since 2003, there has been a 36 percent increase in the use of smokeless tobacco, and 15 percent of high school boys currently use the product. The new campaign, called Knock Tobacco Out of the Park, is connected through a new website, www.tobaccofreebaseball.org. The site includes social media tools that allow fans and other members of the public to tell their hometown teams, players and Major League Baseball that continued use of smokeless tobacco at baseball games is unacceptable. The new campaign kicked off to coincide with spring training for the 2011 baseball season. Partner groups involved in the campaign include: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Dental Association, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Legacy, Oral Health America and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Read the full press release.

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Vividly illustrating the impact of tobacco on health, a new truth^® ad shows there is no "sugarcoating" tobacco-related disease. The spot features six individuals who have obvious physical disabilities from tobacco use. The six travel on a parade float through the heart of a busy Hollywood thoroughfare, while "singing" a tune about the many different flavors used to enhance tobacco products. As the float travels along, the camera pans to the shocked faces of onlookers who can see the physical disabilities each float rider is living with. The ad highlights a new fact: "Tobacco companies can't sell candy-flavored cigarettes, but they still sell other tobacco products in over 45 candy flavors." With this spot, truth specifically seeks to highlight how living with tobacco-related diseases is not just about dying, but also living with the effects of cancers of the mouth, throat and neck; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); emphysema; and loss of voice. Moreover, anyone who uses tobacco has the potential to develop such diseases. The ad will appear in theaters, and will also include online and mobile elements available at thetruth.com. Read more about the campaign.

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Tobacco has a long history with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population. Once-secret tobacco industry documents revealed targeted marketing plans that illustrate tobacco companies' efforts to exploit the LGBT market. As gays across the country "Come Out for Health" during National LGBT Health Awareness Week, now is the perfect time to "come out" against Big Tobacco and commit to quit. Individuals in the LGBT community are 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to smoke cigarettes than their heterosexual counterparts. BecomeAnEx.org is a great resource for smokers who are looking to quit, offering a place to connect with peers about their experiences. The site includes more than 350 customized support groups, including a variety of groups specifically for the LGBT community:

·         Rainbow ExSmokers

·         Gay/Lesbian Quitters of Steel

Read the full release or download the LGBT fact sheet.

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Men's Health Network (MHN), a non-profit educational organization dedicated to improving the health of men, boys and their families, has teamed up with Legacy to empower veterans to live smoke-free longer, healthier lives. MHN and Legacy reached out to more than 1,500 military veterans and their families for the 4^th Annual Timeout for Veterans' Health Event in Washington, DC, held in conjunction with the Washington Redskins. Research shows that, in the military, 32 percent of men and 21 percent of women smoke. EX campaign quit smoking materials were distributed in an effort to encourage veterans to quit. In addition to receiving quit smoking materials, the event participants were also provided with various free health screenings and were given the opportunity to speak with physicians assistants regarding personal screening results. 

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After an exciting first Young Professionals event in NYC last year, Legacy's Young Professionals Committee is gearing up for even more activity in 2011. The group recently met with prospective members to start planning a variety of new fundraising and cultivation events. The committee is comprised of approximately ten young, accomplished New York City professionals who are working together to raise funds and awareness for Legacy's lifesaving efforts in tobacco prevention and smoking cessation. For more information about hosting or sponsoring a Young Professionals event, please e-mail sdodds@legacyforhealth.org.

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Sadly, the nation lost a true leader in public health and tobacco control. As the Commissioner of Health for the State of New York, Dr. Richard Daines was a dear friend and partner to Legacy in our mission to help Americans live longer, healthier lives. The New York City and New York State health departments are among the oldest, effective and courageous in the nation. Their bravery over the last century has paved the way for other states to limit political considerations and ratchet up science-based public health decision-making and leadership.

Dr. Daines was a committed partner in Legacy's outreach to smokers with the EX campaign. New York was a founding partner of the National Alliance for Tobacco Cessation, and the campaign's successful national launch is due in part to the unwavering leadership and support of Dr. Daines. He was also a vocal leader on the issue of smoking in the movies, helping to shield young audiences from the powerful influence that tobacco in film has on motivating youth smoking initiation.

Dr. Daines, like others who have toiled for years in public health, learned that if you seek to win popularity contests, you will certainly fail in your principal job - to save lives. We've lost a true public health leader in Dr. Daines. We honor his memory and will continue the legacy he fought so hard for throughout his career.

 

Our heartfelt condolences also go out to the family, friends and colleagues of our colleague, Joel A. Spivak of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), who passed away on Friday, March 4, 2011. He was lovingly exalted as the organization's "King of Media" for the past 15 years, capitalizing on his extensive background in radio and television to help raise awareness about tobacco issues and the leading role of the CTFK in the fight against tobacco. His passion, energy and commitment to advocating for a tobacco-free world and keeping kids safe from tobacco will truly be missed.

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