Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

The topic that I looked into was Tobacco Use.

Goal: Reduce illness, disability, and death related to tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

I am really concerned about second hand smoking, so I chose to focus on the areas in this goal that relate to smoking its effects on the outdoor and indoor environment that people live in.

From the Progress Quotient Chart I found the following progress on this goal:

section 27-10: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke: nonsmokers 4+ years, has been met by 136%.

section 27-11: Smoke-free and tobacco-free schools, is 13% towards its target.

section 27-12: Worksite policies prohibiting smoking, is 6% towards its target.
section 27-13: Smoke-free indoor air laws:
a. Private workplaces are 8% towards the target

b. Public workplaces are 12% towards the target

c. Restaurants are 6% towards the target

d. Public transportation is 6% towards the target

e. Day care centers are 10% towards the target

f. Retail stores are 4% towards the target

i. Bars are 4% towards the target

To see the graphs for the goal's progress you can go to this link: Figure 27-1. Progress Quotient Chart for Focus Area 27: Tobacco Use

Progress

• All of the sections of my goal moved towards their target, and one of them even exceeded its goal.
  

Disparities-I found the following information from Healthy People 2010

• The Asian or Pacific Islander population had the best rate of working in worksites that prohibit smoking.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke at home among children showed persistent disparities by race and ethnicity and by income level.
  
• The Hispanic population had the best rate in 1998, with half as many Hispanic children aged 6 years and under exposed to tobacco smoke as black non-Hispanic and white non-Hispanic children were.
  
• Among populations by income, children in poor and near-poor families were twice as likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke as children in middle/high-income families were. Poor families have over 100% greater health disparity compared to high income families.
  
• Black non-Hispanics had 100% health disparitydifference for exposure to tobacco smoke at home in comparison with the best group Latinos or Hispanics.
• Black non-Hispanics also, increase their health disparity over 50% when it comes to exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

Opportunities & Challenges

• None
  

Emerging Issues-I found the following information from Healthy People 2010

• Potentially Reduced Exposure Products (PREPS) deliver lower amounts of toxic, carcinogenic, or addictive agents to the user compared with conventional products.
• Youth obtaining tobacco from other sources as it becomes harder for youth to access tobacco from retail sources.
• Smokeless Tobacco-example: Hookah, can lead to use of other carcinogenic things.
• Internet Sale of Tobacco Products- weak or no age verification mechanisms.

Related Bill
I was not able to find any current national legislation relating to what I would like to advocate. I was looking for a bill on second hand smoke relief or smoke free homes and cars. I was unable to find any legislation on these topics through Dr. V.'s links, so I am going to do some research on my own, and find something I would like there to be legislation on. I am leaning towards a ban on smoking in the car with underage children. My next step is to contact my local representatives and ask them to propose new legislation on this issue.

I will be calling Minnesota Representative:Roger Reinert and Minnesota Senator: Yvonne Prettner Solon and ask them to create some legislation on this issue.


Have a Great Day!!!