I would like to congratulate the following facilitators for providing the N-O-T & ATS programs in their schools. 

 American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2004 Report Released January 6^th

On Thursday, January 6, the American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2004 report was released.  The report grades state tobacco control policy in four areas: tobacco prevention spending, smokefree air laws, cigarette tax and youth access laws.  The report also for the first time grades the federal government in four areas: FDA regulation of tobacco products, cessation, cigarette tax and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.  To view the report and see your state’s grades, click here .

 Study Indicates Secondhand Smoke Exposure Harms Children's Intellectual Development (Statement of Daniel E. McGoldrick, Director of Research, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)

 Washington, D.C. (January 4, 2005) - An important new study published in the January 2005 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives demonstrates a strong negative relationship between children's exposure to secondhand smoke and their performance on tests measuring reading, math and reasoning skills.  The negative impact of secondhand smoke on children's cognitive ability was evident even at extremely low levels of exposure and held up when other possible explanations (e.g., poverty, parent education, etc.) were controlled. These disturbing findings add to the already long list of health harms caused by secondhand smoke to non-smokers of all ages.  The study's clear message to parents is that children must be protected from secondhand smoke both at home and in public places.  It's clear message to state and local policy makers is that they should enact comprehensive smoke-free policies that cover all workplaces and public places in order to protect everyone's right to breath clean air and help prevent the myriad health problems associated with secondhand smoke.

 The new study, conducted primarily by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, involved nearly 4,399 U.S. children 6-16 years of age and measured exposure to secondhand smoke based on blood levels of a nicotine byproduct called cotinine.  The study found that 84 percent of the children studied had detectable levels of cotinine and estimated that more than 33 million American kids are at risk for secondhand smoke-related reading deficits.  This broad exposure, despite the fact that just 43 percent of the households reported a smoker in the home, suggests not only that parents should make their homes completely smoke-free, but that children are also exposed to dangerous levels of secondhand smoke outside the home.  It is critical that parents be aware of the environments in which their kids are spending time and that elected officials implement polices to make all public places smoke-free.

 The study found a strong negative correlation between levels of exposure to secondhand smoke and scores on standardized tests of reading, math and reasoning.  Perhaps more important, even extremely low levels of secondhand smoke exposure were related to some decrease in performance. As the authors state, "we are unable to recommend a safe level of exposure to ETS (secondhand smoke) because there is no discernable threshold for the impact of ETS on cognitive functioning in children."

 In addition to these new findings, secondhand smoke is scientifically proven to cause lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and other illnesses and is responsible nationally for thousands of deaths each year. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and 69 known carcinogens including formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, benzene and polonium 210. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently advised persons with heart disease to avoid settings where smoking is allowed because of the risk that even short-term exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger heart attacks. Studies show that kids are especially vulnerable to other people's smoke, suffering more respiratory problems, ear infections and asthma.

 USA TODAY

 American Lung Association Says States Should Heed Evidence on Value of Tobacco Control Programs. (Statement by John L. Kirkwood President and Chief Executive Officer
American Lung Association)

January 25, 2005

How many more preventable deaths must occur and how many more children must become addicted to cigarettes before we say “enough”? Policymakers have the power to ensure that children will not become victims of tobacco. All that is needed is the political will.
 
A new study published in the January 25 issue of the American Journal of Public Health shows that spending on tobacco use prevention and smoking cessation programs reduces youth smoking. Researchers from Bridging the Gap, a policy research program based at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Michigan, found that by spending the minimum amount on tobacco programs recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), states could lower youth smoking rates by 3 to 14 percent.

The recently released analysis of state and federal tobacco policy, American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2004, found that despite such growing evidence, most states continue to make short-sighted decisions to cut or severely underfund tobacco programs. Most states have failed to fund those programs at levels recommended by the CDC. The Lung Association gave failing grades for tobacco program funding to 36 states and the District of Columbia.  Only five states — Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine and Mississippi — have looked beyond their immediate budget situations to see the wisdom of funding tobacco programs at CDC levels. Where states have implemented comprehensive tobacco prevention programs, youth smoking rates have declined substantially. For example, Maine’s successful tobacco prevention program has resulted in a 48 percent drop in high school students who smoke and a 59 percent decrease in smoking among middle school students.

Bold action is required to build policy on the mounting evidence that tobacco control programs save lives. A few states have enacted strong tobacco control policies. More states will have the opportunity to do so in 2005. The states – and the nation as a whole – can and should do better. The American Lung Association calls on Congress, the administration, state legislators and governors to pass strong and effective tobacco control policies and adequately fund programs to prevent future tobacco use and help current smokers end their deadly habit.

About the American Lung Association:
For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined.

The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.”

For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungwv.org.

 PROGRAM TIPS

 As the new year is here and we are preparing for the second semester I thought this would be a good time to review some of the rules for qualifying for the stipends.

 First you must follow the American Lung Association Professional Standards In Conducting Courses which you signed during the training (Click Here to see a copy)

 1.  Facilitators must complete all program sessions of the NOT/ATS program to receive the stipend. 

 2.  Completed sessions will not be grandfathered. 

 3.  Each school is eligible to receive five $100 stipends for running the ATS program per school year for a maximum of $500 per school. Currently there is no limit for the number of NOT clinics you can run and receive stipends for.

 4.  Simultaneous ATS programs started every other week at the same school will not be endorsed. To be eligible for the stipend the facilitator must complete the series of four sessions prior to commencing a new one.

 5.  To be eligible to earn a stipend there must be at least three students participating in the ATS or NOTclass. The NOT/ATS program requires many group activities. Furthermore, the research for this program was completed with the teens participating in small groups of 5-7. We feel that in order maintain the integrity of the N-O-T/ATS program we must insure the small group dynamics. We believe that by participating in the small group environment youth develop effective communication and caring skills. Small groups provide a sense of security for the teens and lets them know they are not alone in their addiction; it gives them a support network. Small groups further provide an environment to which facilitators can be more effective and productive than they could ever be on a one-to-one basis.

6.  Facilitators must submit the required evaluation forms to receive the stipends.

 Common Errors:

1. Giving the pre and post “What about me” surveys on the same day.

Giving the surveys on the same day does not allow us to assess if the program was helpful to the students.

2. Not insuring the students initialed both surveys

If the students don’t initial the surveys I can’t assess the degree of cessation or reduction.

3. Incomplete packages

 I’ll receive the What about me 2 but not the What about me 1

4. Still using the NOT curriculum as a disciplinary program.

The ATS program has been developed as the disciplinary program. NOT is a volunteer program.

5. Claiming a program with insufficient students

Running a NOT class with only one student. I understand that you 

may only have one or two students that are asking for help. And I

certainly hope you are able to provide one-on-one counseling, you just

can’t call it a NOT class. We also have self help “Power Guides” that the

student can request, if you only have one or two students.