It is good that we have an open dialogue about health care reform for all Americans in our country.
In 2005 my mother died. When I received her Death Certificate it stated: Cause of Death was "tobacco." For 55 years this addictive drug was a part of her life, until her death. She tried to stop on several occasions. She smoked Winston cigarettes. Thus began our crusade.
From 2005, until current we have contacted several elected officials (*) to share our concerns about this very important issue and the Tobacco Accountability Act.
If we are going to talk about health care reform and not talk about the industry that cause many of the chronic diseases that affect millions of Americans and their families, we are only kidding ourselves about true health care reform.
The tobacco industry affects every aspect of our economy and well-being. They spend billions of dollars a year lobbying and marketing to the least amongst us in this country and abroad. These Americans become addicted (worse than using cocaine, crack or marijuana, etc.). We have given these industries a license to kill and destroy lives all for the sake of their bottom line and shareholders, with no concerns about the affects their products have on a person's life; their health and family especially when that person was not aware of the addictive ingredient of nicotine when they first began to smoke.
Yes, President Obama passed the Family Smoking Prevention Tobacco Act which gives the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products and prohibit misleading advertisements to our children this past June. This was another legislative act to help take the sting out of what they are allowed to do.
The question each of us should ask ourselves is, “if not now, when?” This is the one time in our history, if we are going to continue to talk about change and what is good for all Americans; we must include every industry that is affecting the health of every American.
We cannot sit around talking about this in our living rooms, at town hall meetings, in the halls of Congress or even on the Internet and have the audacity to get angry while pretending that we don't know why some Americans are afflicted with chronic diseases and the skyrocketing costs to keep Americans alive and healthy.
If each and every elected representative do not take this aspect seriously about real health care reform and pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
We are going to have twice the amount of people uninsured and sick in America with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases, especially if we refuse to bring these health care costs to their attention now. Why should family members, emergency rooms, Doctors and others take care of these increased expenditures which affect their operating costs without the tobacco and alcohol industries financial support?
The Oxford Medical Companion wrote in 1994 “tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when it is used exactly as intended.”
Just imagine for one second, every American went to their Doctor at the beginning of the year. Get their annual check-up and was told when they returned for their test results. “All your tests were negative. You are in good health. We’ll see you next year Mr. or Mrs. Healthy American for your annual check-up.” Just imagine; the costs would be affordable if everything was this simple about our health care in America. It’s not. We have some serious issues, which go far beyond affordability. These two industries affect the core of health care reform for families in America.
We already know that the Hispanic market is a viable market now for every industry. This is the nation's second largest racial/ethnic group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 2030 the number of Hispanics is projected to increase to 66 million and 97 million by 2050. Between these two industries spending billions to market to the various markets (i.e., African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska natives and now women extensively), how will this health care reform initiative cover this aspect of increase going forward?
These are additional facts according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
* Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 5 million deaths per year.
* Current trends show that tobacco use will cause more than 8 million deaths annually by 2030.
* In the United States, cigarette smoking is responsible for about one in five deaths annually, or about 443,000 deaths per year.
* Annually, cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion ($97 billion in loss productivity and $96 billion in health care expenditures).
* Health care costs associated with exposure to secondhand smoke average $10 billion annually.
* In 2005, the latest year with available data, the cigarette industry spent almost $13.4 billion, or more than $36 million per day, on advertising and promotional expenses.
* In the United States, 20% of high school students are current cigarette smokers.
* Each day, about 1,100 persons younger than 18 years of age become regular smokers; that is, they begin smoking on a daily basis.
* Among adult smokers, 70% report that they want to quit completely, and more than 40% try to quit each year.
* Tobacco is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world.
* As reported in the Charlotte Observer, “we have 43.3 million smokers in America.”
* As well as, “it costs the Defense Department more than $1.6 billion a year in medical care and lost work days, while the Veterans Administration spends more than $5 billion to treat veterans for tobacco-related illnesses.”
* The Center for Immigration Studies estimated costs to cover all uninsured illegal immigrants would be $30.5 billion annually and at emergency rooms/free clinics $4.3 billion.
We have heard and seen from President Obama, Vice President Biden, Pharmaceuticals, Doctors, Medicare and all the other entities who are trying to overhaul and make a difference in this health care reform initiative, by making health care accessible and keeping the costs down for all Americans.
Yes, as one writer wrote, "health care reform is more than a social imperative - it is an economic necessity."
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative, America will not survive if we allow the tobacco industry to bankrupt this health care reform initiative, by simply ignoring the tobacco-related diseases which affects this society in more ways then one.
Dr. Gro Harlem Brunddand, former Director General of World Health Organization in 1990 stated: “tobacco is one of the greatest energizing health disasters in human history.”
Common sense will tell every elected representative, if the tobacco industry can spend billions of dollars worldwide each year, with marketing, promotion and sponsorships to individuals (i.e., Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives and now women extensively) in this country and cause the following: chronic diseases, drug addictions, medical bankruptcies, divorces, domestic violence (our children being abused mentally and/or physically), our youth smoking and drinking (they become life smokers); we must pass The Tobacco Accountability Act once and for all.
Each of us knows someone in our family or a friend who has suffered because of tobacco-related diseases or hooked on theses products being robbed of a healthy lifestyle. We have opened Pandora's Box to health care reform once again. We cannot afford to close this box now.
If we do; the lobbyists, power brokers and money elite will continue to have America in a stronghold and at a disadvantage when we compete with other countries because we refuse to address this issue once and for all. America must take the lead.
We believe that one day someone will say "enough is enough" and have the courage to stand as David did with the power of God, against Goliath and pass The Tobacco Accountability Act on behalf of my mother and so many Americans who do not have insurance, are targeted, addicted, have tobacco-related diseases, do not have the strength or the money to pay for all the prescriptions, operations or rehabilitation programs they need, in order to survive and stay alive another day, because of their tobacco/alcohol related-diseases. It’s time.
According to World Health Organization, “unless urgent action is taken by 2030 there will be more than 8 million deaths every year and more than 80% of tobacco deaths will be in developing countries. This must be a top priority for public and for political leaders in every country of the world. Tobacco could kill one billion people during this century” if we refuse to address this national and international issue in our health care reform initiative.
They further stated, "In some countries children from poor households are frequently employed in tobacco farming to provide family income. These children are especially vulnerable to "green tobacco illness" which is caused by the nicotine that is absorbed through the skin from the handling of wet tobacco leaves."
I don't know about you, but I am sick of people taking advantage of our country (i.e., the people) and jeopardizing our position in the world, because we have forgotten Whose body it really is.
Most tobacco users want to quit but will be unable to because of their dependence on a highly addictive substance.
I read recently in Faith Magazine a person’s prayer for everyday situations:
“Quit Smoking
I’ve been a smoker since my teenage years, Lord. This bad habit is affecting my health now and I’m praying for Your help to kick it. I’ve been trying on my own but it seems like everything I do reminds me that I want a cigarette. Now, I’m calling upon You to bless me with the will-power to take my life back! - Amen”
Former CEO Mr. Bowman of R.J. Reynolds testified in June 1964 before Congress and stated:-
“If it is proven that cigarettes are harmful, we want to do something about it regardless of what somebody else tells us to do. And we would do our level best. This is just being human.”
Here we are 45 years later addressing the most important issue of our lifetime. This issue is far more detrimental to the State of America than any outside force. If America is not healthy from our youth to our adults, we cannot compete or sustain a quality of life that we are accustomed to.
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative Americans without health care benefits will exhaust the health care system far greater than what it has ever experienced, because we refuse to do the right thing with all the industries that affect our health.
As we wrestle with every aspect of this health care reform initiative in America some will ask, what does this have to do with this? Everything! The cost factors to keep Americans with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases will bankrupt any health care reform initiative plan without these two industries subsidies.
Lest we forget; each and every one will have to answer this one question for such a time as this – why not?
I am only a voice in the wilderness for The Tobacco Accountability Act.
For the Glory of God,
Valerie Foy
Email: speakingthetruth@yahoo.com
In 2005 my mother died. When I received her Death Certificate it stated: Cause of Death was "tobacco." For 55 years this addictive drug was a part of her life, until her death. She tried to stop on several occasions. She smoked Winston cigarettes. Thus began our crusade.
From 2005, until current we have contacted several elected officials (*) to share our concerns about this very important issue and the Tobacco Accountability Act.
If we are going to talk about health care reform and not talk about the industry that cause many of the chronic diseases that affect millions of Americans and their families, we are only kidding ourselves about true health care reform.
The tobacco industry affects every aspect of our economy and well-being. They spend billions of dollars a year lobbying and marketing to the least amongst us in this country and abroad. These Americans become addicted (worse than using cocaine, crack or marijuana, etc.). We have given these industries a license to kill and destroy lives all for the sake of their bottom line and shareholders, with no concerns about the affects their products have on a person's life; their health and family especially when that person was not aware of the addictive ingredient of nicotine when they first began to smoke.
Yes, President Obama passed the Family Smoking Prevention Tobacco Act which gives the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products and prohibit misleading advertisements to our children this past June. This was another legislative act to help take the sting out of what they are allowed to do.
The question each of us should ask ourselves is, “if not now, when?” This is the one time in our history, if we are going to continue to talk about change and what is good for all Americans; we must include every industry that is affecting the health of every American.
We cannot sit around talking about this in our living rooms, at town hall meetings, in the halls of Congress or even on the Internet and have the audacity to get angry while pretending that we don't know why some Americans are afflicted with chronic diseases and the skyrocketing costs to keep Americans alive and healthy.
If each and every elected representative do not take this aspect seriously about real health care reform and pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
We are going to have twice the amount of people uninsured and sick in America with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases, especially if we refuse to bring these health care costs to their attention now. Why should family members, emergency rooms, Doctors and others take care of these increased expenditures which affect their operating costs without the tobacco and alcohol industries financial support?
The Oxford Medical Companion wrote in 1994 “tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when it is used exactly as intended.”
Just imagine for one second, every American went to their Doctor at the beginning of the year. Get their annual check-up and was told when they returned for their test results. “All your tests were negative. You are in good health. We’ll see you next year Mr. or Mrs. Healthy American for your annual check-up.” Just imagine; the costs would be affordable if everything was this simple about our health care in America. It’s not. We have some serious issues, which go far beyond affordability. These two industries affect the core of health care reform for families in America.
We already know that the Hispanic market is a viable market now for every industry. This is the nation's second largest racial/ethnic group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 2030 the number of Hispanics is projected to increase to 66 million and 97 million by 2050. Between these two industries spending billions to market to the various markets (i.e., African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska natives and now women extensively), how will this health care reform initiative cover this aspect of increase going forward?
These are additional facts according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
* Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 5 million deaths per year.
* Current trends show that tobacco use will cause more than 8 million deaths annually by 2030.
* In the United States, cigarette smoking is responsible for about one in five deaths annually, or about 443,000 deaths per year.
* Annually, cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion ($97 billion in loss productivity and $96 billion in health care expenditures).
* Health care costs associated with exposure to secondhand smoke average $10 billion annually.
* In 2005, the latest year with available data, the cigarette industry spent almost $13.4 billion, or more than $36 million per day, on advertising and promotional expenses.
* In the United States, 20% of high school students are current cigarette smokers.
* Each day, about 1,100 persons younger than 18 years of age become regular smokers; that is, they begin smoking on a daily basis.
* Among adult smokers, 70% report that they want to quit completely, and more than 40% try to quit each year.
* Tobacco is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world.
* As reported in the Charlotte Observer, “we have 43.3 million smokers in America.”
* As well as, “it costs the Defense Department more than $1.6 billion a year in medical care and lost work days, while the Veterans Administration spends more than $5 billion to treat veterans for tobacco-related illnesses.”
* The Center for Immigration Studies estimated costs to cover all uninsured illegal immigrants would be $30.5 billion annually and at emergency rooms/free clinics $4.3 billion.
We have heard and seen from President Obama, Vice President Biden, Pharmaceuticals, Doctors, Medicare and all the other entities who are trying to overhaul and make a difference in this health care reform initiative, by making health care accessible and keeping the costs down for all Americans.
Yes, as one writer wrote, "health care reform is more than a social imperative - it is an economic necessity."
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative, America will not survive if we allow the tobacco industry to bankrupt this health care reform initiative, by simply ignoring the tobacco-related diseases which affects this society in more ways then one.
Dr. Gro Harlem Brunddand, former Director General of World Health Organization in 1990 stated: “tobacco is one of the greatest energizing health disasters in human history.”
Common sense will tell every elected representative, if the tobacco industry can spend billions of dollars worldwide each year, with marketing, promotion and sponsorships to individuals (i.e., Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives and now women extensively) in this country and cause the following: chronic diseases, drug addictions, medical bankruptcies, divorces, domestic violence (our children being abused mentally and/or physically), our youth smoking and drinking (they become life smokers); we must pass The Tobacco Accountability Act once and for all.
Each of us knows someone in our family or a friend who has suffered because of tobacco-related diseases or hooked on theses products being robbed of a healthy lifestyle. We have opened Pandora's Box to health care reform once again. We cannot afford to close this box now.
If we do; the lobbyists, power brokers and money elite will continue to have America in a stronghold and at a disadvantage when we compete with other countries because we refuse to address this issue once and for all. America must take the lead.
We believe that one day someone will say "enough is enough" and have the courage to stand as David did with the power of God, against Goliath and pass The Tobacco Accountability Act on behalf of my mother and so many Americans who do not have insurance, are targeted, addicted, have tobacco-related diseases, do not have the strength or the money to pay for all the prescriptions, operations or rehabilitation programs they need, in order to survive and stay alive another day, because of their tobacco/alcohol related-diseases. It’s time.
According to World Health Organization, “unless urgent action is taken by 2030 there will be more than 8 million deaths every year and more than 80% of tobacco deaths will be in developing countries. This must be a top priority for public and for political leaders in every country of the world. Tobacco could kill one billion people during this century” if we refuse to address this national and international issue in our health care reform initiative.
They further stated, "In some countries children from poor households are frequently employed in tobacco farming to provide family income. These children are especially vulnerable to "green tobacco illness" which is caused by the nicotine that is absorbed through the skin from the handling of wet tobacco leaves."
I don't know about you, but I am sick of people taking advantage of our country (i.e., the people) and jeopardizing our position in the world, because we have forgotten Whose body it really is.
Most tobacco users want to quit but will be unable to because of their dependence on a highly addictive substance.
I read recently in Faith Magazine a person’s prayer for everyday situations:
“Quit Smoking
I’ve been a smoker since my teenage years, Lord. This bad habit is affecting my health now and I’m praying for Your help to kick it. I’ve been trying on my own but it seems like everything I do reminds me that I want a cigarette. Now, I’m calling upon You to bless me with the will-power to take my life back! - Amen”
Former CEO Mr. Bowman of R.J. Reynolds testified in June 1964 before Congress and stated:-
“If it is proven that cigarettes are harmful, we want to do something about it regardless of what somebody else tells us to do. And we would do our level best. This is just being human.”
Here we are 45 years later addressing the most important issue of our lifetime. This issue is far more detrimental to the State of America than any outside force. If America is not healthy from our youth to our adults, we cannot compete or sustain a quality of life that we are accustomed to.
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative Americans without health care benefits will exhaust the health care system far greater than what it has ever experienced, because we refuse to do the right thing with all the industries that affect our health.
As we wrestle with every aspect of this health care reform initiative in America some will ask, what does this have to do with this? Everything! The cost factors to keep Americans with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases will bankrupt any health care reform initiative plan without these two industries subsidies.
Lest we forget; each and every one will have to answer this one question for such a time as this – why not?
I am only a voice in the wilderness for The Tobacco Accountability Act.
For the Glory of God,
Valerie Foy
Email: speakingthetruth@yahoo.com
A seed for America.
(*) The late Honorable Edward M. Kennedy, Honorable Michael B. Enzi, Honorable Elijah Cummings, Former Surgeon General David Satcher, Former President George W. Bush, Jr., Former First Lady Laura Bush (a former smoker), Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg (who has The Bloomberg Initiative -a tobacco initiative), Mr. Lee Scott of WalMart Stores, Inc. (the largest outlet for cigarettes), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a host of others including most recently Honorable Max Baucus and Honorable Barack Obama.
Updated: Monday, November 29, 2010
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