Tobacco lobbyists threaten California for public health action

Publication Date: 2016-03-22

On March 10, the California legislature approved the historic package of six tobacco control bills. However, the bills have not yet reached Governor Brown’s desk for his signature.

Why the delay? It’s possibly an attempt to ward off the tobacco industry threats to enact revenge.

Please call Governor Brown at (916) 445-2841 to ask him to sign all six tobacco control bills into law when they do arrive on his desk. You can also email the Governor if you prefer. These bills will reduce the burden of death and disease caused by tobacco use and exposure in California.

We need to make sure Governor Brown is hearing from you, his constituents, because he is clearly hearing from tobacco industry lobbyists who are looking to protect their revenue and influence. 

Background:

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the tobacco industry is up to its devious old tricks to prevent these tobacco control bills from becoming law. Demonstrating the behavior that earned the tobacco industry a guilty verdict in 2006 on federal racketeering charges, lobbyists in Sacramento have threatened a “scorched earth” campaign in retribution for the adoption of this lifesaving public health legislation.

The Sacramento Bee reports that the industry has threatened to overturn the new lawsby putting a referendum on the ballot, and also to torpedo unrelated ballot initiatives, but they cannot start the process until the Governor signs the bills.

Tobacco industry lobbyists should NOT be dictating public health policy in California!

This California Department of Public Health infographic highlights that many Californians still breathe secondhand smoke on the job. Many of these worksites would finally be smokefree if the Governor signs the tobacco control bills.

Please call Governor Brown at (916) 445-2841 or email him to ask him to sign all six tobacco control bills into law when they arrive on his desk.

Thanks for taking action!

See the full alert at: http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51299/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1302515