BSLC July Meeting cancelled!

During our last BSLC meeting it was decided to skip the July meeting therefore, our next meeting will be held September 19th.

Numerous articles have appeared in our local newspapers highlighting that smoking is still an existing problem to our state taxpayers. With having 36% of the state's Medicaid clients still smoking with the comparison with the state's average of l6% of its residents are smokers. The Medicaid smoking problem is costing our taxpayers with smoking related medical care cost of an approximate 1.3 billion dollars. Alarming? What is more alarming is the fact that our state received 1.3 billion dollars to provide cessation programs but the legislative wisdom diverted 1.1 Billion dollars to its unrestricted general fund. These funds were obtained from the tobacco industry for public health programs but it was used to enrich unionized state workers rather than addressing the 61,000 Medicaid recipients the funds to stop their smoking habit that l.3 Billion dollars was indented to be used for that purpose.
I have stated the cessation of smoking outside of many hospitals in our state But Fairfield, Ct. has expanded the fight against smokers to their beaches. There are forcing the beach goers to go smoke in a smoking area with some beaches have issued and outright ban on smoking altogether.

The State of New York City has imposed the cigarette retailers to place posters, with blunt warnings about the dangers of smoking, by their cash registers. of course the cigarette industry is fighting New York city on this issue. The State of Massachusetts is also considering enacting legislation similar to New York City's.
The Reynolds announced in the USA today cuts in cigarette production and increasing their smokeless cigarette production. I trust you all remember the previous article in the BSLC referring to the harmful chemicals in the smokeless cigarettes.
A smoker wins 8 million dollars for larynx cancer from smoking 25 years . I have contacted the attorney in order to find out what could be done for our group in this matter. He was very quick to point out that the statute of limitations only allows a three year window form the moment the individual noticed the adverse effects that smoking caused.

The Mohegan Sun study says the smoking ban could be costly. The casino is waging a legislative fight in their attempts to avoid this band from becoming effective in 20ll.
During the last four months there were l28 New Laryngectomees and 74 that passed on nationally. Here locally we have had three new laryngectomees during the same time period with one passing on.
I sincerely hope that all the membership and their families enjoy the summer in good health.

See you all at the September Meeting.

Sincerely,



frank smith