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In This Issue September 2013
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Message from the President: Many Lives Saved, Many More to Come
In 2012, with strategic guidance from Legacy and other partners, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a new, hard-hitting national campaign that revealed stories from real people who have been impacted by smoking. The message from the "Tips from Former Smokers" ("Tips") campaign: smoking is a deadly addiction that can impact your health and your daily life at a very young age. A new study shows that the campaign was a success and may have helped at least 100,000 people quit smoking for good.
The findings, published in The Lancet, are a result of a tremendous effort by the federal government to stand behind its bold commitment to ending the tobacco epidemic, one of our greatest public health challenges. These aren't just statistics being reported - these are real lives saved. We applaud the CDC for its continued investment in our nation's future and economic health through this proven-successful campaign.
The brave individuals who shared the stories as part of this campaign should also be recognized for their effort and impact. On September 16, 2013, we were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Terrie Hall, who died from the effects of the cancer caused by the cigarette smoking she began in high school. It was stories like hers that compelled hundreds of thousands of Americans to take the first step in one of the most important decisions of their lives.
As a public health community and as a nation, if we can continue to champion the tobacco issue through campaigns like this as part of a comprehensive effort to reach smokers and their families and to encourage smoking cessation, many more lives will be saved.
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E-Cigarettes: News Studies Reiterate Need for Further Science and Regulation
Since being introduced into the market in 2009, e-cigarettes - an emerging product that allows users to inhale vaporized nicotine in a cigarette-like fashion - continue to be a topic of interest, popularity and debate. Anecdotally, e-cigarette usage is seen more and more in daily life across the U.S. With the unregulated status of e-cigarettes, the tobacco and e-cigarette industries are free to advertise these products as an alternative to smoking - and they have, with ads becoming increasingly ubiquitous on TV, radio, and in magazines.
Yet, public health and tobacco control experts have continued to discuss its efficacy as a cessation tool as well as its potential as a starter product for youth. Two new research studies published this month reiterate the need for further science and regulation of e-cigarettes.
Findings from the National Youth Tobacco Survey, detailed in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, found that the percentage of U.S. middle and high school students who have ever used e-cigarettes more than doubled from 2011 to 2012. These findings raise troubling questions. 20 percent of middle school e-cigarette users have never experimented with tobacco. Do e-cigarettes have the potential to serve as a gateway product for experimentation with other conventional tobacco products? With stats also finding the majority of current e-cigarette users also are using traditional cigarettes, will dual usage become a norm? A second study published in The Lancet found that e-cigarettes and nicotine patches offer comparable success in quitting.
Legacy maintains that more science around the devices is needed and regulation is essential. There are serious questions about the quality control of these devices, long-term health effects, efficacy as a quit smoking aide, and their appeal as a potential gateway device to traditional tobacco use. The two studies demonstrate that action and science are needed now - before more and more young people and smokers strive to take up use of these devices.
Read the full statement here.
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Save the Date for a Warner Series Lecture Commemorating the 15-year Anniversary of the Master Settlement Agreement
The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the major tobacco companies, 46 US states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories was the largest civil litigation settlement in U.S. history, with the central purpose to reduce smoking - and particularly youth smoking - in the United States. The MSA has had a significant impact on preventing youth smoking, but challenges remain.
On October 23, 2013, Legacy, National Association of Attorneys General and RTI International, a non-profit research institute, will host a Warner Series lecture that brings together Attorneys General and public health and tobacco control experts to explore the MSA's successes, challenges and implications for public health policy for years to come.
The event will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and will be live-webcasted and archived for a national audience.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013
12 p.m. ET - 2 p.m. ET
National Press Club
Washington, D.C.
Networking lunch at 12 p.m. Program/webcast at 12:30 p.m.
To attend in person, click here. View the live webcast or archive here.
For more information, contact Sarah Shank at sshank@legacyforhealth.org.
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Latina Stars offer "Tips" to Help Smokers Quit
Each year, 61 percent of Hispanic smokers say they want to quit; more than half (56.5%) make an attempt but less than 10 percent succeed in quitting. During Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15 and runs through October 15, 2013, Legacy is helping the National Latino Health Equity Action Network ("NLHEAN") - formerly the National Latino Tobacco Control Network - spread the word in an effort to help make that intention a reality, and promote healthy and active living.
Through a multimedia initiative several Latina stars will educate consumers about the dangers of tobacco use and second-smoke exposure to help Latino smokers quit. Cindy Vela, the "Face of Ximena Valero Fashion," Conseulo Vega, a small business owner and former television host from Mexico, and Carla Ortiz, one of Bolivia's biggest stars have partnered with NLHEAN to share their own personal stories related to tobacco in a series of online videos. The videos feature information about tobacco prevention and cessation support that benefit Latinos, including the new national Spanish-language Quitline, 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569). The videos are available in English and in Spanish.
The 1-855-DÉJELO-YA number debuted this past March as part of the launch of the second round of the landmark Tips from Former Smokers ("Tips") campaign from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to a study published in The Lancet earlier this month, the Tips ads that aired between March and June 2012 motivated 1.6 million smokers to attempt to quit. Of the 1.6 million smokers who made attempts to quit, more than 200,000 remained abstinent upon completion of the campaign.
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Legacy Welcomes News Board Members
Legacy welcomes two new members to its Board of Directors who come from nationally renowned public health organizations that are working to help Americans live longer, healthier lives.
Nancy Brown is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Heart Association (AHA). In her role, she has focused successfully on prevention and improving cardiovascular health. Brown developed the organization's first-ever integrated global strategy, launching new programs to increase revenue and mission impact in small communities and expanding individual giving and major gifts.
Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association (APHA), has been appointed Director Designate to the Board of Directors of Legacy. Since December, 2002, Benjamin has led the nation's oldest and largest organization of public health professionals. As Director Designate on the Board, Dr. Benjamin will be appointed to the next Board vacancy. Dr. Benjamin brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership through more than 100 books, scientific articles and book chapters that he has authored.
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Spread the Word and Nurture Leadership Skills Through the Legacy Youth Activism Fellowship
With nearly 3,500 young people trying smoking every day, youth involvement in tobacco control is as important as ever. Through community involvement and leadership, young tobacco control advocates can make a difference among the public and their peers by saving lives from the deadly fate of tobacco. During the 18-month leadership development program, Legacy Youth Activism fellows learn from nationally recognized leaders, network with other young adult activists from around the nation, receive technical support for local tobacco control projects, and hone leadership skills. Youth between the ages of 18 to 24, who consider themselves change agents with a strong commitment to action should apply.
Applications are due October 9, 2013. For more information and to submit an application, visit www.legacyforhealth.org/ya. Questions can be directed to the Legacy Youth Activism Program via email at yap@legacyforhealth.org or phone at 202-454-5586.
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An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
It takes a comprehensive approach to achieve the ambitious mission of saving lives from tobacco. There are many ways you can support Legacy and its life-saving work as a national tobacco control leader and important community education resource. Learn more about the ways you can get involved below:
- Make a tax-deductible gift online -- Donate Now. We welcome corporate matching gifts, too.
- Make a gift of appreciated stock or securities. Call Anthony O'Toole at 202-454-5557 to find out how.
- If you are a Federal employee, support Legacy through the Combined Federal Campaign. We are listed as American Legacy Foundation, CFC #19203.
- Name Legacy in your will or estate plan. To learn more, see our Planned Giving Brochure. Talk with your financial advisor and then contact aengel@legacyforhealth.org.
- Use SocialVest to shop for practically everything and they'll make a donation to Legacy. https://www.socialvest.us/
These are just a few of the ways you can support Legacy's work. To discuss these or other possibilities, email us at development@legacyforhealth.org.
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