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The American Lung Association in Oregon (ALAO) is a strong
voice on important local and state issues related to tobacco prevention,
outdoor and indoor air quality,
asthma, and other lung health topics. Prior to each
Oregon legislative session, ALAO develops legislative priorities through a collaborative
process involving the ALAO Board of Directors,
program staff, community partners, and suggestions of the ALAO membership statewide.
ALAO is a member of the Tobacco Free Coalition of Oregon (TOFCO).
2010 Oregon Legislative Special Session
The 2010 Oregon Legislative Special Session has come to a close. The American Lung Association in Oregon supported the following lung health legislation:
Legislative Victories:
SB 1025 - Provides for radon resistent new construction for public buildings and private residences and consumer notification regarding radon prior to the purchase of a new home.
Legislative Agenda:
Tobacco –
SB 1042: Provides counties the ability to set additional tobacco taxes on cigarettes.
LC 68: Housekeeping bill to clarify moist snuff bill passed in 2009 session.
Ongoing Legislative Positions –
TPEP Funding: ALAO supports full funding of the Tobacco Prevention and Education Budget. The Center for Disease Control recommends best practice State spending for Oregon of $43,000,000 where as the state actually spends $7,706,841.
Increase in the Cigarette Tax: Currently the Oregon cigarette tax is $1.18. The national American Lung Association recommends a cigarette tax of over $2.35.
DEQ Funding: ALAO continues to monitor and support budget funding for DEQ relating to air quality. This is a perennial position for ALAO in our support of the state department’s efforts to monitor and clean the air.
The Fight Continues....
Even with the success of the 2010 Special Session, we still have our work cut out for ourselves. In the coming years ALAO will continue to fight for:
-Increasing the cigarette tax to help prevent youth from beginning to smoke and increase funding for the Oregon Tobacco Prevention Education Program.
-Prohibiting the act of free sampling of all non-cigarette tobacco products to protect children and young adults from becoming addicted.
THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR YOUR HELP!
How you can help
Your involvement in this process is key. By signing up for the
ALAO TakeAction Network
you will be notified by email about pending legislation, the ALAO position on the bill,
specific action to be taken, suggested talking points and how to directly contact your
legislator. If you do not know your legislator, go to the
Oregon
State Legislature web site and fill out your address to find your state and US
legislators.
The American Lung Association in Oregon is also involved in public policy issues on the city and county level. Involvement of citizens locally is critical in achieving the policy objectives related to lung health. Examples include local laws governing the use of tobacco, access of tobacco products to minors, and the location of buildings that emit dangerous air pollutants (such as diesel bus sheds or industrial plants). Elected officials are much more likely to be responsive to constituents in these instances and public comment is crucial to the result of the decision-making process. Our TakeAction Network will notify you of policy decisions being make in your local area as well. Please sign up today.
Federal level policy issues are also a concern of the ALAO and its membership. State affiliates like the ALAO receive almost daily updates and requests for coordinated advocacy activities. This typically translates to letters, phone calls and emails to the Oregon Congressional Representatives. Communications from Oregon residents enhance the message that the ALAO is sending to our federal legislative delegation. Please refer to the ALA National website to review the issues being worked on by our parent organization. You can sign up for the American Lung Association National Action Network to take action on federal legislation.
For more information contact
TakeAction@lungoregon.org or call 503-718-6145.
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