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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California’s Monthly e-Newsletter
Improving Life, One Breath at a Time
To automatically connect with your nearest American Lung Association, or to speak with a nurse or respiratory therapist at our free HelpLine, call 800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872).
July 29, 2004 Number 114
Content:
GET REDUCED RATES ON CLEANER VEHICLES!
As a volunteer, donor or staff, you can reduce air pollution and receive your reduced rental rate or purchase price for a natural gas or hybrid-electric car through the American Lung Association of California's partnership with EV Rental Cars. To find out more, visit: http://californialung.org/spotlight/evrental.html
SUPPORT GROWS FOR EFFORTS TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING
Efforts to reduce global warming are gaining momentum as more than 40 cities in California adopted resolutions or proclamations to cut greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. American Lung Association of California's Health Network for Clean Air representatives Harold Farber, MD, FAAP, FCCP, of Kaiser Permanente, and Brian Linde, MD, of the American Academy of Pediatrics, spoke out about the health effects of global warming at hearings held recently by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The board is considering a proposal to require automakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent by 2011 and up to 30 percent by 2014.
If you are or know of a doctor who would like to testify at the September 23 hearing in Sacramento, please see the contact information in this article below. If you are or know of a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional who would like to sign the online petition to support stronger greenhouse gas regulations to protect health, visit http://lungaction.org/campaign/hncaghgpetition.
The next Health Network for Clean Air meeting, which now includes more than 25 organizations statewide, is set for Wednesday, August 25, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., in Sacramento. Terry Tamminen, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, will be the keynote speaker.
For more information, contact Vandana Bali at 415.775.1065 or vbali [at] alac [dot] org, or visit http://californialung.org/spotlight/hn_home.html.
LOCAL POLICYMAKERS CONSIDER TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSING
Elected officials in one county and two cities in California are considering passing tobacco retailer licensing ordinances and the city of El Cajon recently passed such an ordinance. Tobacco licensing helps keep retailers accountable because they could lose their licenses if caught selling tobacco to minors.
In Stanislaus County, policymakers are considering requiring retailers to pay $200 each year for a license to sell tobacco, which would fund enforcement efforts. A recent tobacco purchase survey found 26 percent of retailers in the county illegally sold tobacco to minors.
The city of La Mesa is considering a comprehensive tobacco ordinance that would include tobacco retailer licensing. A 2004 survey found that 53 percent of La Mesa retailers are selling tobacco to minors (the highest rate in San Diego County). The model ordinance is a comprehensive plan for reducing tobacco use, which also includes protecting the public from secondhand smoke, zoning tobacco retailer locations away from schools, and eliminating self-service displays of tobacco paraphernalia.
Tobacco retailer licensing could also be law in San Diego in the near future. A subcommittee is considering the issue.
For more information, contact Kerrie Valenzuela at 209.478.1888 or kerriev [at] inreach [dot] org, or Ross Porter at 619.297.3901 or ross [at] lungsandiego [dot] org.
ASTHMA EDUCATOR COURSE OFFERED IN SAN DIEGO
The American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties is holding its second Asthma Education Course, September 24-25, in collaboration with the San Diego Regional Asthma Coalition. The course is designed to help prepare healthcare professionals for the National Asthma Education Certification exam. Continuing education credits are available.
The exam was developed by the National Asthma Education Certification Board. For details about the board's mission and the exam, visit www.naecb.org.
For more information about the course, contact Erin Touslee at 619.297.3901 or erint [at] lungsandiego [dot] org.
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TEACH LUNG PROGRAMS IN SANTA BARBARA
Thanks to an innovative partnership with the University of California, Santa Barbara, college students are teaching young people how to manage their asthma and stay away from tobacco. The American Lung Association of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties trains five to 10 students a year to teach its Open Airways For Schools and Lungs are for Life programs. The students are actually employed by the university.
The partnership has proven successful as students from around the world have been trained to teach the programs, bringing diversity to the project.
For more information, contact Donna Pearson-Beal at 805.963.1426 or donna [at] lungsbvc [dot] org.
SACRAMENTO-EMIGRANT TRAILS ISSUES MOVING FORWARD REPORT
The American Lung Association of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails has wrapped up 18 months of presentations to city and county leaders emphasizing the correlation between land use and air quality. As a follow up, a clean air checklist was sent out to every jurisdiction to find out what clean air/smart growth strategies were being implemented. The results have been summarized in the Moving Forward Report, which is available at www.saclung.org (click on Air Quality, then on Moving Forward Report in the menu on the right side of the page).
The report will be used as an example and incentive for jurisdictions to think strategically about their land use and transportation planning decisions as the region prepares to accommodate more than 1 million more people in the next 40 years.
For more information, contact Jennifer Finton at 916.444.5864 or jfinton [at] saclung [dot] org.
ASSOCIATION JOINS FLEX YOUR POWER AT THE PUMP CAMPAIGN
The American Lung Association of California is a partner with Flex Your Power at the Pump, launched by the State of California as a statewide effort to educate and encourage people and organizations to use gasoline more efficiently this summer saving money and contributing to a healthy economy and environment. This effort brings together the state's residents, businesses, community organizations, institutions, and local governments to take voluntary actions that help save fuel.
Here's what you can do:
- 1. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
2. Use your air conditioning selectively.
3. Observe the posted speed limits. It's safer and saves gas.
The three simple steps above can save up to 15 percent in fuel costs.
- Accelerate smoothly and brake gradually. It's safer and uses less gas.
Properly maintain your vehicle and replace your air and oil filters as recommended.
Minimize the amount of time your vehicle idles.
For more ways to save fuel and energy, visit www.FYPower.org.
TELL A FRIENDForward this e-newsletter to friends, family and business contacts. Encourage them to subscribe for free at http://www.californialung.org. Signing up is easy. Just enter your e-mail address at the upper left corner of the Web site homepage below the logo.
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