Health

Opinion: Big Tobacco, Butt Out!

Published

7 years ago

January 12, 2018

By Carol McGruder, Co-Chair, African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council

Federally adjudicated racketeers (aka Big Tobacco) finally started their series of court-ordered apologies to the American public.

These bland, soulless, perfunctory ads will run for the next year and are part of the remedy to the 2006 U.S. District ruling that found the tobacco industry engaged in an illegal, decades-long campaign to deceive smokers about the health hazards of smoking, in violation of a 1970 federal anti-racketeering law.

The tobacco companies, the judge wrote, “Have marketed and sold their lethal product with zeal, with deception, with a single-minded focus on their financial success, and without regard for the human tragedy or social costs that success exacted.”

But, even while Big Tobacco runs these “corrective ads”, they are shamelessly trying to undo a historic new law that would keep kids from a lifetime addiction to nicotine. Two groups are perniciously targeted by tobacco marketing: our children and people of color. This deadly form of social inequity played a prominent role in San Francisco’s heroic efforts to enact an ordinance to prevent death and devastation from tobacco and address this critical civil rights infringement.

Parents, their children, the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council and public health leaders, as part of the group SF Kids vs. Big Tobacco, took to the steps of City Hall on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to say, “Health is a Civil Right!” and ask every politician, candidate and political club in San Francisco to side with our children by refusing to take money from tobacco companies.

The tobacco industry targets African Americans with its marketing of menthols and buys off leaders who could stop it in order to keep communities of color addicted to nicotine. It must stop. Cancer and lung disease are crippling our community, and we are not going to stand by quietly as the tobacco industry continues to rake in their billions of dollars in profits; addict another generation of our children to replace those smokers who are able to quit or those who die.

The effort comes as tobacco companies prepare to wage a massive campaign to overturn the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ unanimous decision to restrict the sale of candy flavored tobacco products and menthols. Last summer, the late Mayor Ed Lee signed into law a ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes and all tobacco products including candy-flavored e-cigarettes.
That’s what sparked a backlash from the tobacco industry, which is trying to overturn the law with a June ballot measure. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company is the sole funder of a referendum campaign.

How can we protect our kids from getting hooked on deadly tobacco products if powerful politicians and other local leaders get hooked on tobacco industry money? The best way to kick the habit is to never start in the first place, and we hope every leader, candidate and club in San Francisco will take a pledge to protect our kids.

Go to www.sfkidsvsbigtobacco.com to join our efforts!

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

5 days ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention Highlights Black Voter Engagement, and More

A Friday panel featuring NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell and Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, examined Project 2025, an initiative perceived as a potential threat to civil rights, healthcare access, and environmental protection. This session emphasized Project 2025’s projected impact on Black communities, noting that policies within the initiative could diminish gains in civil and environmental rights over decades. Russell and Wilson highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring and community mobilization to address these challenges.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

NAACP State Conference President Rick Callender (right) engages in a discussion on voter engagement and community advocacy with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson during the 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention in Los Angeles. Photo by Rich Woods.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention concluded on Sunday, Oct 27, following four days of discussions and workshops at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Bringing together civil rights leaders, policymakers, and advocates from California and Hawaii, the convention operated under the theme “All In.” The participants discussed critical issues impacting Black communities, including criminal justice reform, health equity, economic empowerment, education, environmental justice, and voting rights.

On Saturday, the President’s Fireside Chat brought together NAACP President Derrick Johnson and CA/HI State Conference President Rick Callender, who discussed the urgency of voter engagement and community advocacy.

Guest speakers included Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), who spoke at the Women in NAACP (WIN) Labor Luncheon about the intersection of labor rights and civil rights. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond delivered remarks at the Leadership Dinner on education equity, focusing on policies to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.

Honors were given to longtime social justice advocate and former Assemblymember Mike Davis for his work in community activism. At the same time, actor and activist Danny Glover and the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown received the 2024 Legacy Hall of Fame Awards, recognizing their lifelong commitments to advancing civil rights.

The convention also offered practical workshops, including “What’s On Your Ballot?,” where coalition leaders provided analyses of California propositions, explaining their potential impacts on community rights and resources. The Voter Turnout Workshop provided background and encouraged participants to promote voter turnout through community-centered outreach strategies.

Sunday’s events closed with a Prayer and Memorial Breakfast honoring the contributions of past and current civil rights leaders.

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Atty Gen Bonta: U.S. Law Mandating Emergency Care to All Patients Faces Threats

The attorney general highlighted that EMTALA is vital for ensuring that no individual is turned away from emergency services based on financial status or insurance coverage. Bonta stated that the law has been a cornerstone of emergency healthcare for decades, providing peace of mind to millions of Americans who might otherwise hesitate to seek urgent medical attention due to cost concerns.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the critical need to protect the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), mandating that hospitals provide emergency care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

In a recent statement, Bonta highlighted the potential threats to this essential legislation amid ongoing discussions about healthcare accessibility in the U.S.

“EMTALA ensures that no one is denied access to emergency medical care, including abortion care, and this federal law is more imperative than ever following the overturn of Roe v. Wade,” said Bonta.

This decision to support the federal government’s case comes at a time when many healthcare providers are facing pressure from rising costs and legislative changes that could undermine existing protections. Bonta called on lawmakers to reinforce EMTALA’s provisions and to combat any efforts aimed at weakening the act, asserting that equitable access to emergency care is a fundamental right.

He urged state and federal governments to ensure that all Americans, particularly marginalized communities, have the necessary access to emergency services without fear of financial repercussions. The brief indicates the coalition’s commitment to healthcare equity, emphasizing that maintaining strong protections under EMTALA is crucial for safeguarding public health.

As discussions around healthcare policy continue, Bonta remains steadfast in promoting initiatives that protect emergency care access, asserting that everyone deserves timely and appropriate medical treatment in emergencies. His efforts align with ongoing legal and advocacy battles to preserve the rights established by EMTALA in the face of evolving healthcare challenges.