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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California's Monthly e-Newsletter
May 1, 2003 Number 99
http://www.californialung.org
28 CALIFORNIA COUNTIES RECEIVE F GRADES FOR POOR AIR
Californians are driving themselves sick as 28 counties, 48 percent of California counties, received F grades in the American Lung Association's 2003 State of the Air report issued May 1. The nationwide report grades counties based on how often ground level ozone air pollution is at unhealthy levels.
For the fourth straight year, the top four most ozone-polluted metropolitan areas were in California. They included Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Visalila-Tulare-Poterville. Also high on the list were Sacramento-Yolo at sixth, followed by Merced at seventh and San Diego at twentieth.
May is the American Lung Association's Clean Air Month and this year's statewide theme is "Clean Air is Everyone's Business: Cleaner Options are Here Now." The American Lung Association has been working in California to encourage governments and businesses to switch their fleets to cleaner-fueled vehicles. More than 35 cities and counties in California have adopted cleaner transportation policies, resolving to buy cleaner-fueled cars, vans, buses and trucks.
For the complete 2003 State of the Air report, visit http://californialung.org/spotlight/cleanair03_sota_nr.html. For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser@earthlink.net.
NEW TOBACCO TAX TARGETS ADDICTION, BUDGET WOES
The American Lung Association of California joined forces with the Coalition for a Healthy Future to propose a new plan to help the state's budget crisis and reduce tobacco use through a $1.50 per pack cigarette tax with 20 cents earmarked for tobacco control programs. The coalition includes the American Lung Association of California, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Next Generation California Tobacco Control Alliance.
The coalition held a news conference on April 28 at the State Capitol and unveiled recent polling information showing broad bipartisan support for the proposal. Commissioned by the American Cancer Society and Next Generation California Tobacco Control Alliance, the poll showed more than 67 percent approval among voters for a tobacco tax increase with a specific amount dedicated for tobacco control programs.
Supporters are encouraged to call Governor Gray Davis (916.445.2841), Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (916.319.2047), and Senate Pro Tem John Burton (916.445.1412) and voice their support for a $1.50 tax on tobacco with 20 cents earmarked for tobacco control programs.
For more information, visit: http://californialung.org/press/030428coalition.html or contact Paul Knepprath at 916.442.4446 or pknepprath@alac.org.
ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS BILL TO REDUCE REFINERY POLLUTION
The American Lung Association of California joined a coalition of health and environmental organizations to support a bill that would require older refineries, power plants, and factories to install state-of-the-art pollution control equipment when they expand or upgrade their facilities. Senate Bill 288 (Sher, D-Palo Alto) restores a provision in the Clean Air Act, called "new source review," that was repealed by the Bush Administration.
Senator Byron Sher and Assemblymembers Marco Firebaugh (D-South Gate) and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) unveiled the new bill at a news conference on April 28 at the State Capitol. Speaking on behalf of the American Lung Association of California, Bonnie Holmes-Gen said requiring new and expanding industries to install the best available pollution controls to improve air quality and protect public health is one of the most fair and basic requirements that exists.
For more information, visit: http://californialung.org/press/030428sb288.html or contact Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.442.4446 or bhgen@alac.org.
WALKS AND RIDES IN MAY BLOW THE WHISTLE ON LUNG DISEASE
Two Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walks are scheduled in May to help raise funds for asthma and two bicycle rides are planned to help raise money for clean air and other programs. The American Lung Association of California, Superior Branch, will hold its asthma walk on Saturday, May 10, at Bidwell Park in Chico. The American Lung Association of Central California has scheduled its asthma walk for Saturday, May 17, along the Old Town Trail in Clovis. The American Lung Association of the East Bay's Cycling for Clean Air Month bike ride is set for Saturday, May 3. The 90-minute ride begins at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and follows urban green space trails. The American Lung Association of California, Redwood Empire Branch's Two Rock & Roll Bike Trek on May 31 starts in Petaluma and takes in scenic views of Sonoma County.
The Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walk is a nationwide event designed to help the estimated 10 million individuals who have had an asthma attack this year, to raise funds for important research and programs, to reduce the soaring economic costs of asthma, and to provide an opportunity for the community to join together and fight the asthma epidemic.
For more information about Asthma Walks in California, visit http://www.californialung.org and click on the Blow the Whistle on Asthma icon. For more information about Cycling for Clean Air Month, contact Barry Tyler at 925.935.0473 or btyler@alaebay.org. For more information about the Two Rock & Roll Bike Trek, contact Jenny Bard at 707.527.5864 or jbard@alac.org.
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR CLEANER BUSES IN CITY
One out of every three diesel buses in use in San Francisco are old and should be replaced, according to a survey released by an environmental coalition in San Francisco, which includes the American Lung Association of San Francisco & San Mateo Counties. The dirty diesel buses pose a serious health hazard.
For the past few years, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has urged Muni to replace its diesel buses with cleaner-fueled buses. Muni had hoped to purchase hybrid diesel-electric buses, but the California Air Resources Board has not certified hybrid diesel-electric. The coalition is urging Muni to adopt a schedule for replacing the older buses.
For more information, contact Linda Weiner at 650.994.5864 or lweiner@alasfsm.org
BREATH RECOGNIZES SMOKE-FREE BARS WITH LUNG AWARDS
BREATH, the California Smoke-Free Bars, Workplaces and Communities Program, a statewide project of the American Lung Association of the East Bay, is recognizing cities and counties with high smoke-free bar compliance rates with Golden and Platinum Lung Awards. The awards are in celebration of the fifth anniversary of smoke-free bars in California and are being distributed across the state now through June.
The award presentations are giving advocates the opportunity to recognize local leaders. Lapel pins are being issued to individuals who have been key in making smoke-free bars a reality in their cities and counties.
For more information, contact Dian Kiser at 916.739.8925, ext. 2, or breath@jps.net.
CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION
The National Conference on Health Education and Health Promotion is scheduled for May 21 to 23 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina in San Diego. The American Lung Association of California is a supporting organization of the event, which is sponsored by the Association of State and Territorial Directors of Health Promotion and Public Health Education and the Centers for Disease Control.
Public health must have a new vision for effectiveness in this changing world. This conference is geared toward a wide variety of professionals in health-related careers including: health educators, nurses, physicians, program directors, health consultants, nutritionists, health promotion researchers, academic faculty, health and human services personnel, and Congressional Representatives.
For conference details and online registration, visit http://www.astdhpphe.org/21national.asp
For more information, contact Laura Keegan, MPH, at 510.638.5864 or lkeegan@alac.org.
SACRAMENTO NAMES 2003 CLEAN AIR CHAMPIONS
The American Lung Association of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails will honor local clean air champions at its 27th Annual Clean Air Awards Luncheon on May 12 at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. This year awards will be presented to Anne Geraghty and Walk Sacramento for the Citizen Group/Individual Award, the California Fuel Cell Partnership for the Business Award, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District for the Government Award. The Regional Award will go to key Sacramento area leaders instrumental in passing legislation to implement Smog Check II in the Bay Area.
For more information, contact Stacey Long at 916.444.5864 or slong@saclung.org.
DIAN KISER HONORED WITH TOBACCO CONTROL AWARD
Dian Kiser has been selected as the 2003 recipient of The Carol M. Russell Award for Leadership, Vision, Passion and Commitment to Tobacco Control in California by the California Department of Health Services, Tobacco Control Section. Kiser has been pioneering the way for smoke-free venues as the director of BREATH, the California Smoke-Free Bars, Workplaces and Communities Program, a statewide project of the American Lung Association of the East Bay. The award recognizes her leadership, vision, passion and commitment to ensure all Californians can breathe smoke-free air.
The award was presented to Kiser at the 2003 Project Directors' Meeting earlier this month in Newport Beach.