White Socks Pitcher vs. Chew

John Danks is trying to quite chew because it might be leading to health problems. The White Socks pitcher has been suffering from a finger problem, which might be complicated by his use of tobacco. The Chicago Tribune reports that Dank's "blister problems developed into circulatory problems that caused him to miss a start Wednesday and undergo extensive tests".

Pentagon Targets Tobacco Use

The Pentagon is considering a ban on tobacco in the military. According to USA Today, 32% of soldiers smoke, which affects their physical performance. This is one of the highest use rates in America. In addition, it costs the military "$846 million a year" to treat tobacco-related illness.

Sacramento's Money Goes Up in Smoke

This is a real shocker and concern - the Sacramento News and Review recently reported that in May the City of Sacramento bought 10,000 shares of Altria, the company formally known as Phillip Morris. Altria ranks near the bottom of 541 companies rated by Covalence for their ethical behavior. Covalence ranks each company through "a reputation index based on quantifying qualitative data, which is classified according to 45 criteria such as Labour standards, Waste management, Product social utility or Human rights policy. It is a barometer of how multinationals are perceived in the ethical field".

FDA to Regulate Tobacco

On June 22nd, President Obama signed a bill into law that will allow the FDA to regulate the content, flavor and advertisement of cigarettes. Passing with overwhelming bipartisan support, the tobacco regulation bill is a huge victory for health advocates looking to decrease the use of cigarettes, which is still the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the United States.

Less Scene Smoking

Does tobacco-use in popular media have a negative impact on youth? CNN Health recently posted a well-researched article about the relationship between smoking among youth and smoking on screen.

Youth Summit 2009 - July 22nd - 24th

Free Youth Summit Organized by the Center and BREATHE

What is YOUTH SUMMIT? - Youth Summit is a free three day fun filled event at Valley of the Moon Camp in Sonoma County, California, July 22^nd to 24^th. The purpose of Youth Summit is to prepare students to participate in tobacco-free campaigns, in their schools and communities. There will be exciting workshops in the daytime and fun activities at night! Students will have fun, learn skills, and become positive active members in our community. The Youth Summit is sponsored by Breathe California – Sacramento Emigrant Trails, Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center, and funded by the Sacramento County Health & Human Services Department and Sacramento County Tobacco Litigation Settlement Funds.

Click here for more information and application!

Australia Gets to the Point in Anti-Tobacco Ads

World No Tobacco Day - May 31

Sunday was World no Tobacco Day. In the world-wide effort, The World Health Organization is recommending stronger labeling and placing graphic images on the packaging of cigarettes. The WHO claim that graphic images and clear labels educate consumers and decrease smoking rates.

India recently joined 20 other countries such as Australia by implementing a policy to place graphic images and warnings on their cigarette packages. Realizing the cost in human lives and health care expenditures, India has been making strong advances in tobacco control in the last couple of years. They currently have a policy for smoke-free public places, bars and restaurants.

World Health Organization Recomends R Rating for Movies Containing Tobacco Use

CYAN Reports - This morning the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report recommending that all future movies with smoking scenes be given an adult rating. The report also recommends that movie studios should:

• certify that they received no payoffs from tobacco companies to display tobacco products or their use
• stop displaying tobacco brands onscreen
• require strong anti-tobacco advertisements before all movies that have tobacco imagery

This report is another great resource for you and your Smoke Free Movies campaign. To download the full copy of the WHO’s report, please visit: http://www.who.int/tobacco/smoke_free_movies/en/index.html

Anti-Tobacco Public Service Announcement Winners - Sacramento

Thank you to all who came, participated, volunteered and sponsored Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center's first Youth Premiere and Anti-Tobacco Film Contest.  The evening was a success.

3rd Place - Two Way Tie

Asian Pacific Community Counseling - Tobacco in the Movies

George Washington Carver High School - No Butts!

2nd Place - Two Way Tie

Asian Pacific Community Counseling - Where U At?

Hiram Johnson High School - Tobacco and Hollywood

First Place

Natomas Charter School - Second Chance

FDA Commisioner Supports Tobacco Regulation

In a recent article in AMNews, the new Food and Drug commissioner picked by President Obama is in favor of the agency regulating tobacco.  Dr. Hamburg is quoted as saying "This is a critical moment, I think, to take a more aggressive look at how we regulate tobacco products...I think the FDA is the appropriate agency to regulate tobacco."  Dr. Hamburg is the former New York City health inspector, a state with strong history of tobacco control.

Extra! Extra! Youth Film Premiere Makes Headlines.

The hard work is paying off. The Sacramento Press featured us in their culture section. This year's Youth Film Premiere is going to be fantastic. We'd like to thank all the participants, volunteers, support and sponsors. Positive press will help strengthen our message.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Thank You to Our Sponsors!  The Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center will hold its first Youth Film Premiere in collaboration with California Voices this May 14, 2009 from 5-8:30 at the Crest Theatre, Sacramento.  Hundreds of youth from more than 14 schools will be featuring their youth-produced videos about issues in their lives and communities.  The event will also include an anti-tobacco public service announcement contest.  The event is FREE and will include free beverages and snacks.  For more info, visit www.sccsc.org.

Congress Looking at Candy-Flavored Smokeless Tobacco

Take a look at this article about a new product being test-marketed in Ohio. The product is called Orbs, which is a smokeless tobacco product that has a sweet flavor, looks like breath mints, and is full of nicotine.

Doggies Love Fresh Air Too!

Did you know that secondhand smoke is bad for pets too? Outdoor or indoor secondhand smoke is toxic for all your companions. The truth is that the litter from tobacco products is toxic too: butts contain toxic chemicals and the packaging can harm your pet's digestive systems. Be mindful to protect your curious pet from the dangers of tobacco.

Anti-Tobacco PSA Contest

LOCAL TEENS TO PREMIERE VIDEO SERIES DOCUMENTING UNSUNG HEROES AND COMMUNITY CHALLENGES

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Teens from 16 middle and high schools in Sacramento have spent the past school year creating a series of short films preserving the stories of community leaders and identifying issues in their community. On May 14^th, the public is invited to a free screening of this video series, part of the California Voices initiative, at the Crest Theater in Sacramento, where 100 student representatives from participating schools will present a collection of these stories to the public:

California Voices Youth Film Premiere

Thursday, May 14, 6:00 PM

Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento, CA

The evening event will feature an award ceremony for youth-focused Anti-Tobacco Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Participants could win up to $1,000 in gift certificate prizes and see their top submission played before feature films at a local Sacramento movie theater.

California Voices is designed to mobilize young people to have a greater share of voice in the digital era, while preserving the legacy of elders who have made significant contributions to culture, community, and country. This initiative has provided an opportunity for educators and students throughout the greater Sacramento metropolitan area to come together in documenting the preservation of our local heritage, as well as identifying issues and solutions that affect student’s lives. Featured stories include:

• Bong Vong Nguyen was born and raised in Saigon, South Vietnam and served in the South Vietnamese Army. Mr. Nguyen shares his story of being wounded and held captive in the jungle in a North Vietnamese communist re-education camp.

• Manny Hernandez’s parents emigrated from Mexico when he was very young so they could give their children an opportunity to receive a better education. After witnessing the deplorable conditions of his own children’s schools, Manny knew it was time to dedicate his life to education and service.

• Youth Voice documentaries exploring bullying, tobacco use, neighborhood safety, and the high school dropout rate through the creative lens of our students.

The public is invited to attend this free event, co-hosted by the Center for Multicultural Cooperation and the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center.

Extinguish the Silence

In a recent article by the American Legacy Foundation, national surveys suggest that doctors are not communicating about the dangers of tobacco use and the availability of cessation services with their patients who smoke. As a result, doctors are missing opportunities to support patients and prevent chronic illness. If you want to quit, California offers cessation services: 1-800-NO-BUTTS

Ad Wars!

Have tobacco control adds gone too far?  Are the tobacco control folks trying to deceive and manipulate the public with anti-tobacco ads?  Check out these two gems put out by the tobacco industry in the past.  Who is showing tobacco for what it really is?

Federal Tobacco Tax Increase

This Wednesday a federal tobacco tax increase went into effect, upping the tax to $1.01 per pack of cigarettes.  Experts point out that increases in tobacco taxes usually result in a decrease in tobacco use.  With the economy in a recession, many states, such as Nevada, are looking at increasing state taxes on tobacco products to back fill the void left from the loss of revenue.  There are many reasons to impose a tobacco tax.  California's Congress is currently moving on bill SB 600, a state increase on tobacco taxes that not only generates revenue for the state but also revamps one of the most effective tobacco control efforts in the world.  AB 600 earmarks a percentage of the tobacco tax revenue for California's comprehensive tobacco control programs.  We know that every $1 spent on prevention and control saves $3 dollars in health care costs.

E-Smokes = Dangerous?

Check out this article in the San Jose Mercury News! Some questions to consider: Do you think E-Cigarettes are deadly? Should they be regulated? Do they cause chronic disease?

A New Partner and Sponsorship of the Youth Film Premiere

Thank You SSCFL! With their commitment to building healthy communities by increasing citizen participation and grass-roots collaboration in mind, the South Sacramento Coalition for Future Leaders (SSCFL) is partnering with ACT-UP and California Voices to help Roll Out the Red Carpet. So who is SSCFL? The SSCFL is oversee and staffed by the Sacramento Mutual Housing Association (SMHA). In their words:

The Community

The area of South Sacramento served by this coalition is bounded by Highway 50 to the north, Elder Creek Road to the south, Highway 99 to the west and Power Inn Road to the east. With a population of approximately 73,000, this is one of the most ethnically diverse and economically challenged areas in Sacramento County.

The Coalition

The South Sacramento Coalition for Future Leaders (SSCFL) strives to create a community where youth are valued and are given the opportunity to grow, be safe and realize their full potential.

We envision a community where youth are able to not only create a positive vision for their future, but also to be actively engaged as leaders in their community. We believe the entire community, working together, can have a major lasting impact on the youth in our community.

As a broad-based neighborhood coalition, our mission is to affect the lives of young people by creating a network of assets and resources, promoting a positive image of youth, and garnering political power to influence broad, sustainable youth development policies.

The SSCFL is made up of youth, parents, educators, service providers, local government, businesses, churches and community leaders. We have worked together through the years, but in spring 2006 we formally joined forces as a REACH Community Action coalition.

The coalition is overseen and organized by the Sacramento Mutual Housing Association, which operates two affordable housing communities in the Lemon Hill neighborhood of South Sacramento.