Clear the Air

And gone if not reported out of committee to the floor in one chamber of the West Virginia Legislature by Monday and passed by one of the legislative chambers by Wednesday. The legislature missing this opportunity will keep West Virginia’s tobacco tax as the 8th lowest in the nation.

Failure to pass the tobacco tax this year means tens-of-thousands of kids will not see price as a deterrent and will begin using tobacco products and many will be addicted for what will be a shortened life. The same can be said for the nearly 20,000 current users who would have quit had the tax increase been implemented.

Also lost will be over $100 million in revenue which could have been utilized to prevent and treat chronic disease in West Virginia and expand health coverage to low-income working people in the state.

There’s still time but it is quickly passing.

Contact you legislators and Governor Manchin in the next 24 hours and ask that they meet this deadline and keep the tobacco tax legislation alive by passing the bill from one chamber next week.

If the health impact does not move them then perhaps the full scope of the 4.6% budget cuts the Governor has announced should be fully understood before the tobacco tax is taken off the table this year.

Action now is critical because if not passed by the House or Senate by Wednesday the legislation is dead for this session.

Tags: 2009 Session, tobacco tax, West Virginia Legislature

If some members of the West Virginia legislature get their way Smoke Gets in Your Eyes will be much more than a classic record from The Platters - it will be public policy.

For years now, local boards of health in West Virginia have reasonably and responsibly addressed the issue of clean indoor air by establishing local regulations protecting our citizens from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. These regulations have been effective, implemented after examining the health facts and done when the community was prepared. While there are always a minority of vocal opponents who decry each new regulation, the vast majority of West Virginians enjoy and appreciate being able to work, shop and relax in smoke-free establishments.

Boards of health are unique. As regulatory bodies they combine use of scientific data, local administration of public health policy, inclusion of experts and citizens, and a structure that sets the board one degree apart from the political establishment. This last point is critical - decisions regarding the prevention of disease and protecting the community from serious public health threats are too important to be mired in political battles.

Already this legislative session one bill has been introduced which would exempt establishments who have a beer or liquor license from any local smoking regulation. Other bills, far more extreme and dangerous, are anticipated to be introduced in the next few days and weeks.

We can not take clean indoor air for granted. Powerful political forces are at work wooing our legislators to ignore the health implications, and public opinion, and reverse the progress West Virginia has made protecting local communities from exposure to tobacco smoke. Now is the time to make certain our voices are heard.

As the legislative session continues be prepared to speak out and respond to action alerts by contacting your legislators. Otherwise, you will have smoke getting in your eyes.

Tags: clean indoor air, West Virginia Legislature