National Working Group for ACTTION

Apr 13, 2009
Letter from Diane Canova

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the ACTTION Update – a monthly newsletter informing the members, endorsers and others interested in furthering the mission of the national Call for ACTTION (Access to Cessation Treatment of Tobacco In Our Nation). We hope these monthly updates will provide you and your teams with policy, research and news updates, as well as new ideas and approaches to the challenges we face in providing support for tobacco users looking to quit.

Apr 14, 2009
Tax Increase Leads Smokers to Quit, Opens Door for ACTTION

The combination of the economic recession and the tax increase on tobacco products is taking its toll on smokers’ wallets. On April 1, the largest-ever federal tax increase on tobacco products went into effect, raising the federal cigarette tax from 39 cents a pack to $1.01, and possibly leading more than a million U.S. smokers to quit. Although some tobacco users have voiced their distaste for the bill, this tax increase could lead to improved health for millions and, possibly, a healthier nation overall.  

Apr 14, 2009
Healthy People Committee Calls for Comments as 2020 Objectives are Set

The DHHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Healthy People 2020 is seeking comments on the Healthy People 2010 objectives and focus areas as it drafts the 2020 goals. Given your involvement in the National Working Group and/or support for the recently issued Call for ACTTION, we believe that comments and statements from supporters of the Call for ACTTION regarding the importance of increasing access to and coverage for comprehensive tobacco cessation treatment can help strengthen the goals pertaining to tobacco use, and position the recommendations as a road map to promoting better support for tobacco users looking to quit.  

Apr 27, 2009
Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) Joint Annual Conference in Dublin, Ireland

This year, the SRNT/SRNT-Europe Joint Annual Conference will bring together its members, including many of the top experts on nicotine and tobacco from more than 20 countries, to foster an exchange of information on the biological, behavioral, social and economic effects of nicotine.  For more information, visit www.srnt.org.

May 01, 2009
National Working Group Employer/Insurer Sector Webinar

Next month, Partnership for Prevention, in collaboration with organizations and individuals from the employer/business and insurer/purchaser sectors, will host a Webinar discussing action-oriented goals for employers and insurers based on the recommendations outlined in the Call for ACTTION. Check back to www.acttiontoquit.org for further details on this event.

Date is TBD

May 07, 2009
California Tobacco Cessation Summit, San Diego, CA

This summit, “Creating Positive Turbulence: A Quit Plan for California,” will convene national, state and local cessation experts to identify program and policy strategies that can be implemented in California to enhance the existing cessation delivery system and utilization of cessation benefits to promote quit attempts.

May 31, 2009
World No Tobacco Day

The World Health Organization (WHO) is encouraging health professionals to provide their patients with information about the health consequences of smoking, help their smoking patients quit and be role models who promote tobacco-free lifestyles. For more information, visit www.who.int.