Advocacy Project: Letter to a Political Representative

April 21, 2009

Senator Amy Klobuchar

United States Senate

302 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510-2304

Senator Amy Klobuchar,

Our nation is currently in dire need of a tobacco policy that will protect our children and youth from the harmful effects of smoking environments.   For that reason, I urge you to vote yes to S.579 “Federal Tobacco Act of 2009”.   This bill, which was created to establish a comprehensive Federal tobacco product regulatory program, to create a Tobacco Regulatory Agency, to prevent use of tobacco products by youth, and to provide protections for adult tobacco product users through the regulation of the tobacco products manufacturing industry, has very promising effects for our society.  The implementation of this policy will have major implications for the American youth including reduced exposure to tobacco products/smoking and child/youth protection through the Tobacco Regulatory Agency.  This policy will provide mechanisms to help create smoke-free and tobacco-free public places, especially including public schools.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 92% of American smokers begin smoking before the age of 21.  Decreasing the amount of smoking and tobacco-use children and youth are exposed to could play a major role in reducing the number of adult smokers in years to come. The Healthy People 2010 Report includes objectives to both decrease the amount of smokers, and to make 100% of American public schools smoke-free and tobacco-free environments.  Without the implementation of a policy such as S.579 “Federal Tobacco Act of 2009”, reaching these goals may not be possible.  Organizations such as the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society cannot advocate for such change alone.  The American government must jump on board and support the efforts to make the public environments our children and youth are exposed to tobacco and smoke-free.  I understand that many others will be affected by the decision to implement this policy.  Smokers who work, or spend time in public places, especially public schools, will lose the privilege to smoke or use tobacco products on these grounds.  However, with the inability to smoke or use-tobacco, the policy could help jumpstart a smoking-cessation movement by the American public.  I acknowledge that many states, including Minnesota, have already taken action regarding the issues of tobacco-free and smoke-free environments.  In fact, 45% of schools in 2000 reported being completely tobacco-free and smoke-free, and 13 states have some from of public area smoke-free policies.  I hope you understand the necessity for the S.579 “Federal Tobacco Act of 2009” and vote yes to create a safer, and healthier public environment for the children and youth of our nation and the American people as a whole.
If you need any additional information or would like to contact me, do not hesitate to do so. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Sara Jandt

(contact info)