MPHA NEWS

Tobacco Tax and Equalization Press Event

Supporters of Tobacco Tax Equalization and Tobacco Tax Increase to Gather Prior to Public Hearing
Taxation Committee to hold a public hearing on LD 1326 and LD 1406 Monday morning

BANGOR – Supporters of legislation to equalize taxes on other tobacco products (OTP), such as loose tobacco, little cigars, and single-unit dissolvable tobacco, and supporters of legislation to raise the cigarette tax in Maine will hold a press event Monday morning to outline their support for both bills.

On Monday morning, the Maine Legislature Joint Standing Committee on Taxation will hold a public hearing on LD 1326, “An Act To Prevent Youth Tobacco Use,” and LD 1406, “An Act To Reduce Youth Smoking and Improve Public Health by Increasing Revenue from the Cigarette Tax to the Fund for a Healthy Maine and To Pay Debts Owed to Health Care Providers.” Supporters plan to gather on Monday at 10 a.m. in the State House Hall of Flags to outline support for both bills.

WHAT: Event to show support for bills to equalize and increase tobacco taxes

WHEN: 10 a.m., Monday, May 6

WHERE: Hall of Flags, State House, Augusta

WHO: Rep. Megan Rochelo, (D-Biddeford), sponsor of LD 1326

Rep. Richard Farnsworth, (D-Portland), sponsor of LD 1406

Ed Miller, American Lung Association

Levi Smith of Mt. Vernon, a junior at Maranacook Community High School Dr. Amina Qazi, Maine Medical Association and cardiologist from Bangor Hilary Schneider, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

WHY: A disparity exists in Maine regarding taxation of tobacco products. For example, a pack of 20 cigarettes is taxed at $2.00 per pack, while one particular pack of 20 little cigars is taxed at $0.30 per pack. LD 1326 aims to create an equal taxation among all tobacco products, in part, to reduce the chances of Maine youth getting hooked on less expensive tobacco products.

Maine's cigarette tax, currently at $2.00 per pack, is the second lowest in New England. At one time, Maine led the nation with leveraging increases in the cigarette excise tax as part of a comprehensive strategy to help reduce the

number of youth who started smoking. However, in recent years, reductions in youth smoking rates have leveled off. The proposed increase of $1.50 per pack through LD 1406 is estimated to decrease youth smoking rates by 15.7%, which would translate into about 11,800 kids who would be prevented from becoming adult smokers. Additional annual revenue from the cigarette tax hike is projected at $47.37 million.

LD1160 FACT SHEET

MPHA has produced a fact sheet on the benefits of physical activity among school-aged youth in Maine- this sheet contains talking points regarding LD1160.  Another fact sheet is in production.

MPHA adopts Sugar Sweetened Beverage Resolution

Maine Public Health Association Board of Directors adopted a Sugar Sweetened Beverage resolution at our January 2013 board meeting. We hope this resolution will serve as a model for other organizations to use when considering their own resolutions and SSB consumption reduction strategies.  If you would like a word version of the resolution, please contact Tina Pettingill at mainepha@gmail.com  

The American Public Health Association also has a SSB policy statement- you can find it here http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=1437

MPHA publishes 126th legislative session priorities document

As the Maine Public Health Association prepares for the 126th legislative session, we have worked with our four policy committees to create a Legislative Priorities Document.  See attached and contact us if you have any questions.

-Tina and Dennise

Top 10 Reasons to Join MPHA

There are many more than 10 reasons to become a member of your public health association, but we tried to narrow it down to a one-page document for those of you who want more information about MPHA!  

MPHA relies on membership, grants and donations to sustain our organization and advocacy efforts.  Please join today!

MPHA's releases first Legislative Report

The Maine Public Health Association Board, staff and policy committees are proud to announce the release of our first annual Legislative Report. The report provides details on MPHA public health priority bills in the 125th Maine Legislative session.  It also includes information about the session in general - the failure of the legislature to seize public health opportunities and investments and the policy successes.

To read the full report, click on the pdf link below.  More detailed information is being sent to MPHA members.  

MaineHealth Releases Summary of County Health Rankings for ME

County Health Rankings 2012—Highlights by staff of MaineHealth’s Health Index Initiative

Information from Tim Cowan, Director, MaineHealth's Helath Index

Yesterday, April 3, the 2012 County Health Rankings were publically released. Recall that the methodology and framework for the County Health Rankings is similar to that used for the America's Health Rankings. Attached, please find the CHR 2012 report for Maine, and a PowerPoint highlighting some of the findings.

The Health Index staff has created three documents that summarize data provided via the County Health Rankings. We hope you find these useful and encourage you to disseminate these to others you work with- internal to MaineHealth as well as external partners:

1. A PDF with the a one page summary for each of Maine's 16 counties- presenting the data used in the rankings with comparisons. Kate Stabile also created PDFs for each individual county (with the cover letter, the single data sheet and the reference summary about premature mortality); if you would like any of these please contact her at stabik@mainehealth.org.

2. A document with highlights for the 11-county MaineHealth Service Area, and for each county in the service area. THIS IS ATTACHED BELOW- FOR THE OTHER TWO DOCUMENTS, CONTACT TIM DIRECTLY.

3. A PowerPoint presentation with comparisons of measures- over time and across Maine's 16 counties- for the metrics that are pertinent to the Health Index Initiative.

In addition, I encourage you to explore all that CHR has to offer at www.countyhealthrankings.org. They have made some nice improvements, particularly expanding a section called "Roadmaps to Health" which provides information about health improvement strategies, and even access to experts in that field.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate contact me: cowant@mainehealth.org.

MPHA and iGIVE join together!

iGIVE is a super easy way for friends and family to donate to MPHA without costing you a dime (seriously!).  Just sign-up for iGIVE www.iGive.com/MainePHA and most stores that you shop online with will donate a small percentage of your purchase to MPHA- it is completely free to you and will not change anything about the way you shop-- except that you can feel good about knowing that you are shopping AND donating at the same time!

Sign-up today at www.iGive.com/MainePHA and help your favorite advocacy organization while you shop!