Yes on 56/Save Lives California message training webinar now available on-demand A recording of the California Medical Association’s (CMA) recently held webinar – Yes on 56/Save Lives California: Message Training – is now available to download in CMA’s online resource library. The webinar is available free to members only. Nearly 17,000 California kids get hooked on smoking every year, and about one-third of them will eventually die from tobacco-related illnesses. CMA and the Save Lives California coalition is helping to reverse this trend through the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (also known as Proposition 56), a ... August 5, 2016 CMA, General Prop. 56 (tobacco tax), Save Lives California, Tobacco Tax, Webinars, Political Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
New report gives California "F" grade for tobacco control policies California is largely failing in its efforts to fight tobacco use, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). In its 14th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report released on February 3, ALA gave California a failing grade in three out of four possible categories: Tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes, and access to cessation services. For the final category, which rates a state’s efforts to provide smoke-free air, California received a “B.” “While significant progress has been made in reducing youth cigarette smoking, youth use of other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes ... February 9, 2016 General Electronic Cigarettes, Public Health, Save Lives California, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax, American Lung Association 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA President's Message: Thinking big to save lives On January 1, 2016, a California Medical Association (CMA) co-sponsored law went into effect that will help protect the health of California’s children and communities by eliminating the personal belief exemption from school immunization requirements. As a physician who has a vested interest in the advancement of California’s public health efforts, I can’t think of a better way to start 2016. With the new year underway, I’m thrilled to stand with you all, as your CMA president, during what will surely be an exciting time for the future of health care ... February 1, 2016 General Physician Leadership, Political Advocacy, Save Lives California, Election, President's Message 0 0 Comment Read More »
New study reveals staggering costs of smoking in California While the dramatic health impacts of smoking have been widely known for some time, including the fact that cigarette smoking causes nearly half a million deaths in the U.S. each year, a new study from WalletHub reveals the unacceptable monetary cost as well. The study, released in honor of Tobacco-Free Awareness Week, calculates the cumulative costs of the cigarettes themselves, income losses from illness or death, health care expenses and more to determine the true per-person cost of smoking in all 50 states. In California, the cost of a single smoker ... January 25, 2016 General Save Lives California, Smoking, Tobacco, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Campaign to increase state's tobacco tax launches signature-gathering drive in Sacramento The signature-gathering phase of a campaign to increase California’s tobacco tax by $2 per pack has now officially begun. On January 21, the Save Lives California coalition held a press conference at C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento to kick off the next big step in the initiative’s development—procuring more than half a million valid signatures to qualify the measure for the November 2016 ballot. Philanthropist and campaign co-chair Tom Steyer; California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson; Sacramento’s state Senator Richard Pan, M.D.; and representatives from several coalition members, ... January 25, 2016 General Political Advocacy, Public Health, Save Lives California, Smoking, Tobacco Tax, Election 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Medical Association responds to unveiling of Governor Brown's proposed 2016-17 state budget Sacramento – Steve Larson, M.D., president of the California Medical Association (CMA), representing over 41,000 physicians statewide, issued the following statement in response to the unveiling of Governor Brown’s proposed 2016-17 state budget released this morning: “We are pleased to see the Governor is committed to working with the legislature and health plans to find a solution to the MCO tax. Without that, a gaping hole would exist in the state’s Medicaid (Medi-Cal) fund that would have devastating impacts on patients across the state. “Ensuring that Medi-Cal is better funded ... January 15, 2016 General, Managed Care, Medi-Cal Managed Care, Medi-Cal, Save Lives California, Tobacco Tax, California State Budget 0 0 Comment Read More »
Tobacco tax initiative cleared to begin collecting signatures Supporters of a plan to increase California’s tobacco tax by $2 per pack will soon begin collecting the 585,407 signatures necessary to place the initiative on the 2016 election ballot. The California Attorney General finalized the initiative's title and summary on December 15, 2015, clearing the way for the measure’s advocates to collect the needed signatures. The signatures must be submitted by June 13, 2016, in order for the initiative to qualify for the 2016 ballot. The initiative would not only raise California’s current tobacco tax of $0.87 per pack ... January 15, 2016 General Save Lives California, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Coalition files initiative to raise state's tobacco tax Save Lives California—a broad coalition of physicians, patients, taxpayers and health care workers—has filed an initiative with the Attorney General’s office that would increase California’s tax on cigarettes by $2 per pack. Through the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016, the Save Lives California coalition aims to reduce the death toll—and associated health costs—caused by smoking, while generating some much-needed funds to help improve a variety of the state’s health care programs. “The initiative filed today will benefit Californians by reducing smoking rates and long-term health care ... October 14, 2015 General Political Advocacy, Public Health, Save Lives California, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax 0 0 Comment Read More »
L.A. close to banning smokeless tobacco use at all sports venues in city limits Following the footsteps of its Bay Area neighbors to the north, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously (14-0) to ban smokeless tobacco use from all sports venues within city limits. The rule will apply to players and fans alike. The city attorney was given 30 days to draft the new law, which could take effect as soon as January, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Our parks and stadiums are places for creating healthy choices for the next generation, not for cancer-causing addictions,” L.A. Councilmember David Ryu said in a ... September 23, 2015 General Save Lives California, Tobacco, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Package of six bills would raise smoking age, regulate e-cigarettes and fight youth smoking, among other proposals Sacramento, CA — The Save Lives California coalition praised Senate and Assembly Democrats for announcing a bold package of bills to fight the No. 1 cause of preventable death in California: tobacco use. The bills will be taken up during the second extraordinary session, called by Governor Jerry Brown to address healthcare. In a display of strong cooperation and determination, the two houses have each introduced the same six bills aimed at preventing death from tobacco-related diseases and reducing costs of smoking on California’s health system by reducing smoking and ... July 20, 2015 General Save Lives California, State Legislative Advocacy, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
