Tobacco Products prohibited in Boston Pharmacies
After spending eight
years working to improve the way
tobacco permits are distributed, we finally see progress. We have
been working with merchants, meeting with Boston City Council, meeting
with the Board of Health and working with the Boston Tobacco Control
Program to ban the sale of tobacco in pharmacies and increase fines for
irresponsible merchants that sell to minors. After years of daily
protests, thousands of signatures for our petition and testifying at
many hearings, we are the second city in the nation to ban the sale of
tobacco products in pharmacies as of February 9, 2009. For more
information on the tobacco regulations visit Tobacco
Regulations and BPHC.
We will continue to seek:
- Limit on the number of permits distributed
- More expensive tobacco permits
- Community process for merchants seeking a tobacco permit
We must have strong regulation on tobacco and alcohol in our community because substance abuse is a symptom of an unhealthy community. To get involved with this initiative please contact us.
Warning Labels
In 2005 we created tobacco warning labels to inform the community of the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes and other tobacco products. While advocating for FDA regulation of tobacco products, we used the labels to also educate the community on the informative labeling that should be on tobacco products to expose its harmful composition. We worked with local merchants to allow us to place the labels on popular tobacco products before they were sold. In 2008 this campaign was supported by the Boston Tobacco Control Program and we added the 1-800-TRY -TO -STOP number for smokers interested in quiting. These labels have proven to be effective and a first.
Original Label Updated Label
We have 10 other labels designed and developed by the BOLD Teens.
For more information on the development and production of the
Warning Labels, call us at 617-265-4189.
The84.org
On Thursday August 30th, 2007 we launched this website with Secretary
Judy Ann Bigby in Boston. Did you know 84% of youth in Massachusetts
don’t smoke? We are trying to spread the word. This
site will show you what youth are doing across the state to reduce
tobacco use and exposure and to address the manipulative tactics of the
tobacco industry to get us hooked. It also has gear for us
to were and other opportunities to get involved.
Involvement in the Codman Square Health Council
We are ensuring proper youth representation on the Codman Square Health
Council that looks at ways to improve the health of the
community. We are advocating for resources for youth, safe
streets and healthier schools. We are also the youth leaders
for the Codman Square Farmers Market.
Other initiatives:
Restore the Trust
We have been working closely with Tobacco Free Massachusetts to address
the issue of tobacco funds for tobacco programs. The Massachusetts
Tobacco Control Program used to be the number one program in the
country for spending was money that comes into the state from the
Master Settlement Agreement and the state excise tax for funding
tobacco control in Massachusetts.
We have been able to make significant increases to the MTCP budget yet
the budget is still embarrassing low. We are educating our community
and our elected officials on the importance of the Restore the Trust
Bill but we need your help. Contact your elected officials and urge
them to support the Restore the Trust Bill.
FDA Regulation of Tobacco Products
“ We worked with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids at the
national level to ensure regulation of tobacco products by
the FDA. Our visits with Congress, since 2001, and collected efforts
with other states made this possible.”
Taylyse Wornum
President Obama and the U.S. Congress have delivered a truly
historic victory for America's children and health by enacting a new
law granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority
to regulate tobacco products. President Obama signed the legislation
into law on June 22, 2009. For more information visit
FDA
Authority of Tobacco.