A handful of Sioux Falls elementary schools have already taken part - with more schools expected to later - in a new tobacco-free initiative being promoted by the South Dakota State Medical Association Alliance.
The 12-minute animated film, "Smoking Makes Me Ugly," is designed to educate children about the harms of tobacco use before they begin to smoke, said Grace Wellman, co-president of the Alliance. It's targeted at fifth-grade students, she said.
"The project presents the hazards of smoking through an animated video that captures the attention of children while delivering the lesson content," Wellman said.
The DVD only became available a few weeks ago. It costs $74.95. The Alliance has purchased 75 DVDs and placed them in schools throughout South Dakota, Wellman said. The Alliance is working with local law enforcement to help implement the video in school districts.
The film contains interactive lessons. Worksheets, handouts and teacher guides can be printed from the files included on the DVD, Wellman said.
Christine Bruzvoort, a Sioux Falls school resource officer, said she has been contacted by principals this school year on three different occasions about smoking at the elementary level.
So far, she has shown the video to fifth-grade students at Lowell, Longfellow, Hayward, Hawthorne and Renberg elementary schools.
"It shows you what smoking does to you," Bruzvoort said. "All the kids already know that smoking gives you cancer and it's bad for you, but this actually gives you a visual picture of what this does to your actual body."
Minnehaha County Sheriff's Deputy Josh Phillips works with the West Central School District. He will show students the DVD in early January. Other school districts such as Garretson, Dell Rapids and Tri-Valley will soon follow, he said.
"It's just not a video itself," Phillips said, "it's a Power-Point with interactions that I think will really keep the kids interested in the video and keep them talking about it."
среда, 22 декабря 2010 г.
пятница, 3 декабря 2010 г.
Cigarette dispute leads to domestic assault
A Columbia man was arrested over the weekend on charges that he hit and bit his ex-wife over a pack of cigarettes.
Officers were dispatched at 2:10 p.m. Sunday to 1402 Court St. for a disturbance. A dispatcher told the officers Charles Silvey was involved in a physical fight in the house, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jill Wieneke said. Following the incident, 24-year-old Charles D. Silvey of Columbia was arrested on three different assault charges.
"In particular, he assaulted a female there who is his ex-wife," Wieneke said. "It looks like he hit her and bit her. He had also threatened some other people there and punched a male victim in the head, arm and wrist."
One of the officers had dealt with Silvey before and knew he had a history of violence. Three officers went inside the house and found three people in the back bedroom.
"It sounds like they had been screaming and yelling and fighting physically," Wieneke said.
Witnesses and victims said the fight had been ongoing throughout the day between the people in the residence. Silvey had been agitated all day because he thought someone stole his cigarettes, Wieneke said.
Silvey was arrested at the scene for second-degree domestic assault and third-degree assault, a charge that was enhanced because he had at least two past charges, Wieneke said.
Both victims declined medical attention.
At the time of his arrest, Silvey complained of some medical issues, including minor abrasions on his chest from one of the other people there. Per CPD policy, the police transferred Silvey to the hospital that afternoon. He was released from the hospital at 2 a.m. Monday and returned to CPD custody.
Silvey has been charged with other crimes in the past, including assault, domestic assault, property damage and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver's license.
The 13th Circuit Judicial Court of Missouri issued a child protection order against Silvey in April 2009
Officers were dispatched at 2:10 p.m. Sunday to 1402 Court St. for a disturbance. A dispatcher told the officers Charles Silvey was involved in a physical fight in the house, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jill Wieneke said. Following the incident, 24-year-old Charles D. Silvey of Columbia was arrested on three different assault charges.
"In particular, he assaulted a female there who is his ex-wife," Wieneke said. "It looks like he hit her and bit her. He had also threatened some other people there and punched a male victim in the head, arm and wrist."
One of the officers had dealt with Silvey before and knew he had a history of violence. Three officers went inside the house and found three people in the back bedroom.
"It sounds like they had been screaming and yelling and fighting physically," Wieneke said.
Witnesses and victims said the fight had been ongoing throughout the day between the people in the residence. Silvey had been agitated all day because he thought someone stole his cigarettes, Wieneke said.
Silvey was arrested at the scene for second-degree domestic assault and third-degree assault, a charge that was enhanced because he had at least two past charges, Wieneke said.
Both victims declined medical attention.
At the time of his arrest, Silvey complained of some medical issues, including minor abrasions on his chest from one of the other people there. Per CPD policy, the police transferred Silvey to the hospital that afternoon. He was released from the hospital at 2 a.m. Monday and returned to CPD custody.
Silvey has been charged with other crimes in the past, including assault, domestic assault, property damage and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver's license.
The 13th Circuit Judicial Court of Missouri issued a child protection order against Silvey in April 2009
Thief stuffs pants with cigarettes
Surveillance video caught a man stealing cartons of cigarettes from a 7-Eleven store in Virginia Beach.
Authorities say the suspect went into the back stockroom of the store in the 2200 block of Red Tide Road Friday afternoon, stuffed multiple cartons of cigarettes into his pants and then left the store.
"He could be using them for personal use because cigarettes are expensive, or he could be selling them to make a profit off of them at different flea markets and trade shows," said Officer Adam Bernstein, a police spokesperson.
Police are investigating a similar incident that happened at the 7-Eleven store in the 300 block of Lynn Shores Drive on August 16. Police say it appears the same suspect targeted both stores.
Bernstein thought this crime was a bit unusual. "I did find other reports of people just jumping over the counter and grabbing a bunch of packs and running out the door. These are the only two I was able to locate where the person concealed several cartons of cigarettes and walked out the door," said Bernstein.
In each case, police say $300 worth of cigarettes was taken.
The suspect is described as a black male, in his 40s. He can be seen in the photos attached to this story. Authorities say the suspect got away in a light colored four door car with a sunroof.
If you can help police in this case call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
Authorities say the suspect went into the back stockroom of the store in the 2200 block of Red Tide Road Friday afternoon, stuffed multiple cartons of cigarettes into his pants and then left the store.
"He could be using them for personal use because cigarettes are expensive, or he could be selling them to make a profit off of them at different flea markets and trade shows," said Officer Adam Bernstein, a police spokesperson.
Police are investigating a similar incident that happened at the 7-Eleven store in the 300 block of Lynn Shores Drive on August 16. Police say it appears the same suspect targeted both stores.
Bernstein thought this crime was a bit unusual. "I did find other reports of people just jumping over the counter and grabbing a bunch of packs and running out the door. These are the only two I was able to locate where the person concealed several cartons of cigarettes and walked out the door," said Bernstein.
In each case, police say $300 worth of cigarettes was taken.
The suspect is described as a black male, in his 40s. He can be seen in the photos attached to this story. Authorities say the suspect got away in a light colored four door car with a sunroof.
If you can help police in this case call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
Store criticized for promotion offering beer and cigarettes for food stamps plus $1
Fla. - A new advertisement from a Plant City grocery store is causing some concern. The promotion basically offers to accept food stamps in exchange for cigarettes and beer.
The ad offers beer and cigarettes for $1 for customers who use food stamps to purchase large quantities of meat. The store owner calls it a promotion, but some call it a loophole in the law.
It’s illegal to use food stamps to buy things like beer and cigarettes, but what’s listed in the ad appears to be perfectly legal.
The ad for the Price Buster Food Center in Plant City offers large quantities of meat, such as 27 pounds of beef for $60. The very top line of the ad reads, "EBT & Food Stamps Accepted." If the customer pays just one extra dollar, the store will throw in cases of beer or cigarettes.
The bargain has some customers concerned. “It bothers me. Cigarettes and beer should definitely not be part of a food stamp promotion,” said customer Tina Brodowski.
ABC Action News asked store owner Jeffrey Housholder if the promotion is a loophole that allows customers to use food stamps to buy beer and cigarettes. “Well, they can use their EBT cards, they can use their credit cards, they can pay me cash. It’s all the same deal to everybody,” Housholder responded.
Housholder says he’s not doing anything illegal, and he’s right. The USDA says because the deal is available to anyone, even customers who aren’t using food stamps, and because the beer and cigarettes are a separate charge, it appears to be within the law.
But Terry Field with the Florida Department of Children and Families says that insignificant one dollar charge appears to be just a way to sidestep the law.
“It may not be technically illegal, but it certainly doesn’t seem to pass the smell test,” Field said.
Housholder argues that his store has been hit hard by the economy, and this is just another way to bring customers in.
“Plant City has lost probably about 8 to 10,000 residents in our area. We’re just trying to broaden our advertising and reach out to more people,” Housholder said.
Field says it could lead to misuse of the food stamps program.
“To know that they’re using food stamps to buy food simply because they’re getting a bonus of cigarettes or alcohol, that’s a little problematic,” Field said.
After ABC Action News brought this to the attention of the USDA, representatives said they hadn’t heard of a promotion like this before and they will investigate.
The ad offers beer and cigarettes for $1 for customers who use food stamps to purchase large quantities of meat. The store owner calls it a promotion, but some call it a loophole in the law.
It’s illegal to use food stamps to buy things like beer and cigarettes, but what’s listed in the ad appears to be perfectly legal.
The ad for the Price Buster Food Center in Plant City offers large quantities of meat, such as 27 pounds of beef for $60. The very top line of the ad reads, "EBT & Food Stamps Accepted." If the customer pays just one extra dollar, the store will throw in cases of beer or cigarettes.
The bargain has some customers concerned. “It bothers me. Cigarettes and beer should definitely not be part of a food stamp promotion,” said customer Tina Brodowski.
ABC Action News asked store owner Jeffrey Housholder if the promotion is a loophole that allows customers to use food stamps to buy beer and cigarettes. “Well, they can use their EBT cards, they can use their credit cards, they can pay me cash. It’s all the same deal to everybody,” Housholder responded.
Housholder says he’s not doing anything illegal, and he’s right. The USDA says because the deal is available to anyone, even customers who aren’t using food stamps, and because the beer and cigarettes are a separate charge, it appears to be within the law.
But Terry Field with the Florida Department of Children and Families says that insignificant one dollar charge appears to be just a way to sidestep the law.
“It may not be technically illegal, but it certainly doesn’t seem to pass the smell test,” Field said.
Housholder argues that his store has been hit hard by the economy, and this is just another way to bring customers in.
“Plant City has lost probably about 8 to 10,000 residents in our area. We’re just trying to broaden our advertising and reach out to more people,” Housholder said.
Field says it could lead to misuse of the food stamps program.
“To know that they’re using food stamps to buy food simply because they’re getting a bonus of cigarettes or alcohol, that’s a little problematic,” Field said.
After ABC Action News brought this to the attention of the USDA, representatives said they hadn’t heard of a promotion like this before and they will investigate.
пятница, 9 июля 2010 г.
Ohio Tobacco Funding Case Reaches State Supreme Court
Information from tobacco news blog:
The Ohio Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week over the fate of the state's Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation, which was stripped of its funding by state lawmakers, the Associated Press reported July 6.
Lawyers for the foundation told the court that lawmakers had no right to seize the program's $230-million endowment, which came from Ohio's share of the 1998 nationwide tobacco settlement and was placed in a protected fund. "The fact in evidence here is that the 123rd General Assembly plainly intended to create an irrevocable trust putting this money beyond the reach of subsequent general assemblies," said attorney John Zeiger.
But Alexandra Schimmer, Ohio's chief deputy attorney general, argued, "This money is and has always remained state money. It has never been given to any entity that has any legal independence from the state."
The state attempted to seize the money and shut down the foundation in 2008, but foundation officials responded by giving most of its funding to the American Legacy Foundation, a nationwide tobacco prevention program that is also a party to the lawsuit.
The Ohio Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week over the fate of the state's Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation, which was stripped of its funding by state lawmakers, the Associated Press reported July 6.
Lawyers for the foundation told the court that lawmakers had no right to seize the program's $230-million endowment, which came from Ohio's share of the 1998 nationwide tobacco settlement and was placed in a protected fund. "The fact in evidence here is that the 123rd General Assembly plainly intended to create an irrevocable trust putting this money beyond the reach of subsequent general assemblies," said attorney John Zeiger.
But Alexandra Schimmer, Ohio's chief deputy attorney general, argued, "This money is and has always remained state money. It has never been given to any entity that has any legal independence from the state."
The state attempted to seize the money and shut down the foundation in 2008, but foundation officials responded by giving most of its funding to the American Legacy Foundation, a nationwide tobacco prevention program that is also a party to the lawsuit.
понедельник, 21 июня 2010 г.
Tobacco on legislators' agenda
ALBANY -- After a Friday of furious budget activity, the Legislature returns to the Capitol today to vote on Gov. David Paterson's latest provocative one-week budget extender -- including a chunky tax hike on cigarettes and tobacco products as well as stepped-up tax enforcement on sales of tobacco products on Indian reservations.
Under the plan, the current tax on a pack of cigarettes will rise from $2.75 to $4.35. The tax on other tobacco products -- such as cigars, chewing tobacco and pipe tobacco -- will increase from 46 percent to 75 percent. The increases are scheduled to take effect Sept. 1 and raise $290 million annually, according to the Paterson administration; stepped-up enforcement on Indian sales is expected to collect $150 million more.
Over the weekend, forces on either side of the debate over smoking weighed in. Altria, the parent company of cigarette giant Philip Morris, released a packet of information arguing that the hike would be an unfair burden that would hurt consumers and retailers, and could lead to increased illegal trafficking.
The American Heart Association was one of several groups that came out in support of the boost: "The higher the better," said Julianne Hart, the state organization's advocacy director.
The inclusion of the new taxes will make the extender harder to support for any of the three Republican senators who enabled last week's emergency appropriation to pass over Democrat Ruben Diaz Sr.'s "no" vote. The extender's defeat would lead to a broad government shutdown.
Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Schenectady, said last week that he wants to keep the state running, but would refuse to vote for anything that contains new taxes.
The Senate's Democratic majority will also take up a series of budget bills dealing with government operation, transportation, environmental protection and other sectors. The bill were passed by the Assembly on Friday but lagged in the Senate due to the absences of several Democrats.
Paterson and legislators still have to tackle the thorniest portions of the budget: the state's revenue plan and education funding.
The budget deadline for this fiscal year passed on April 1. Paterson said last week that if a final budget plan isn't settled this week, he'll put the remainder of his budget proposal into the extender to be passed on Monday, June 28.
Under the plan, the current tax on a pack of cigarettes will rise from $2.75 to $4.35. The tax on other tobacco products -- such as cigars, chewing tobacco and pipe tobacco -- will increase from 46 percent to 75 percent. The increases are scheduled to take effect Sept. 1 and raise $290 million annually, according to the Paterson administration; stepped-up enforcement on Indian sales is expected to collect $150 million more.
Over the weekend, forces on either side of the debate over smoking weighed in. Altria, the parent company of cigarette giant Philip Morris, released a packet of information arguing that the hike would be an unfair burden that would hurt consumers and retailers, and could lead to increased illegal trafficking.
The American Heart Association was one of several groups that came out in support of the boost: "The higher the better," said Julianne Hart, the state organization's advocacy director.
The inclusion of the new taxes will make the extender harder to support for any of the three Republican senators who enabled last week's emergency appropriation to pass over Democrat Ruben Diaz Sr.'s "no" vote. The extender's defeat would lead to a broad government shutdown.
Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Schenectady, said last week that he wants to keep the state running, but would refuse to vote for anything that contains new taxes.
The Senate's Democratic majority will also take up a series of budget bills dealing with government operation, transportation, environmental protection and other sectors. The bill were passed by the Assembly on Friday but lagged in the Senate due to the absences of several Democrats.
Paterson and legislators still have to tackle the thorniest portions of the budget: the state's revenue plan and education funding.
The budget deadline for this fiscal year passed on April 1. Paterson said last week that if a final budget plan isn't settled this week, he'll put the remainder of his budget proposal into the extender to be passed on Monday, June 28.
понедельник, 14 июня 2010 г.
Stephen Strasburg = Smoking Fastball + Smokeless Tobacco
By now, everyone knows that Washington Nationals ace pitcher, rookie Stephen Strasburg is the real deal.
His debut lived up to all the hype, with the 21-year old throwing furious heat into the seventh inning. He had 14 strikeouts and no walks, getting his first major league win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-2 win Tuesday evening.
But what I had somehow missed in all the coverage leading up to his debut is this: the young man uses dip, that is, smokeless tobacco.
Reading some of the Washington Post coverage Wednesday morning, I came across a description of the Nats clubhouse scene which starts off with a mention of Strasburg's wife:
While Rachel was making an early run on the Nationals' Team Store — coming away with a bagful of limited-edition Strasburg 37 jerseys, and paying full price — her husband was taking batting practice in an indoor cage, with a tin of dip tobacco in his back pocket and a pinch between his gum and lower lip.
As Phil Rizzuto and Harry Caray might have said: Holy Cow! Or as was said in an earlier baseball era, say it ain't so.
So Strasburg has a weakness after all.
Major League Baseball has for years wanted to get rid of smokeless tobacco, a known carcinogen which causes some of the most hideous cancers of the mouth and throat imaginable. It has been banned in the minors since 1993, though players there still sneak it.
For years, there's been a concerted effort to keep young people from starting the dip habit, especially because of the mistaken impression that it's safer than smoking tobacco.
The mlb.fanhouse.com site has an informative story that provides plenty of background on the use of the product in the majors and efforts to prohibit it. Apparently, the players' union has opposed a ban.
But there are players who support a ban, who understand that they are role models to youngsters, according to the Fanhouse piece:
An excerpt from the piece:
"I would be for [a ban]," A's infielder Eric Chavez said. "I don't do it. Sometimes when I'm watching the games you see a guy throw in a big dip and the camera focuses in on it, I know kids are watching. You want guys to be able to do what they want. Everyone is an adult, but you also have to be aware of the message that you send to kids. ... Since I don't dip, I think I'd be an advocate for trying to get it out of the game, or at least off the field."
As was made clear last night, Strasburg draws a lot of attention and will no doubt be a role model for many youngsters, especially because, by all accounts, he is a humble and level-headed young man.
So his use of snuff is the kind of practice many people will find worrisome, not only for the personal health of one of the most gifted young pitchers baseball has ever seen but for the message it could send to many youngsters who may try to imitate their newest hero.
His debut lived up to all the hype, with the 21-year old throwing furious heat into the seventh inning. He had 14 strikeouts and no walks, getting his first major league win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-2 win Tuesday evening.
But what I had somehow missed in all the coverage leading up to his debut is this: the young man uses dip, that is, smokeless tobacco.
Reading some of the Washington Post coverage Wednesday morning, I came across a description of the Nats clubhouse scene which starts off with a mention of Strasburg's wife:
While Rachel was making an early run on the Nationals' Team Store — coming away with a bagful of limited-edition Strasburg 37 jerseys, and paying full price — her husband was taking batting practice in an indoor cage, with a tin of dip tobacco in his back pocket and a pinch between his gum and lower lip.
As Phil Rizzuto and Harry Caray might have said: Holy Cow! Or as was said in an earlier baseball era, say it ain't so.
So Strasburg has a weakness after all.
Major League Baseball has for years wanted to get rid of smokeless tobacco, a known carcinogen which causes some of the most hideous cancers of the mouth and throat imaginable. It has been banned in the minors since 1993, though players there still sneak it.
For years, there's been a concerted effort to keep young people from starting the dip habit, especially because of the mistaken impression that it's safer than smoking tobacco.
The mlb.fanhouse.com site has an informative story that provides plenty of background on the use of the product in the majors and efforts to prohibit it. Apparently, the players' union has opposed a ban.
But there are players who support a ban, who understand that they are role models to youngsters, according to the Fanhouse piece:
An excerpt from the piece:
"I would be for [a ban]," A's infielder Eric Chavez said. "I don't do it. Sometimes when I'm watching the games you see a guy throw in a big dip and the camera focuses in on it, I know kids are watching. You want guys to be able to do what they want. Everyone is an adult, but you also have to be aware of the message that you send to kids. ... Since I don't dip, I think I'd be an advocate for trying to get it out of the game, or at least off the field."
As was made clear last night, Strasburg draws a lot of attention and will no doubt be a role model for many youngsters, especially because, by all accounts, he is a humble and level-headed young man.
So his use of snuff is the kind of practice many people will find worrisome, not only for the personal health of one of the most gifted young pitchers baseball has ever seen but for the message it could send to many youngsters who may try to imitate their newest hero.
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