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April 2004 |
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Philip Morris USA has run youth smoking prevention advertising campaigns, yet at least one of these campaigns has influenced teen attitudes toward smoking - in the wrong direction. |
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Source: Getting to the Truth: Evaluating
National |
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Visit www.WhiteLies.tv to find out more. |
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One member can make a difference for smoke-free Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS -- One member in 100 United Methodists congregations can make a difference towards a smoke-free Indiana.
That's what Paul Messplay is finding out as a member of Lawrence United Methodist Church. This past year when Messplay was working as a volunteer with the Marion County Health Department on a smoke-free workplace ordinance for Marion County, the health department needed petitions signed to present to the Indianapolis/Marion City/County Council.
Messplay asked the Rev. Rick Miller, Lawrence senior pastor, if he could set up a display on a Sunday mornings in the church's Gathering Place to seek petition signers. The pastor suggested he do it for two consecutive Sundays. To Messplay's surprise, Lawrence UMC obtained more than 200 signatures asking the council to pass an ordinance banning smoke-free workplaces. Unfortunately, despite the campaign, thousands of signatures and a good showing at the Council meeting, the Marion County ban on workplace smoking failed but was a good start.
Support for a smoke-free Indiana continued at Lawrence during the session of the General Assembly with notices in the Sunday bulletin calling for legislative action and notices of smoking cessation classes. In addition to the bulletin notices, the church has a method of notifying members of the congregation on issues of concern through an e-mail system. Messplay said, he can't recall how many items they have sent on tobacco control.
If only 100 United Methodist congregations in Indiana do a fraction of what Messplay is doing at Lawrence UMC, Hoosiers are going to win this battle against tobacco for a smoke-free Indiana. Make a difference by asking your congregation to sign the Hoosier Faith and Health Resolution.
A copy of the Hoosier Faith and Health Resolution is available online at www.inareaumc.org.
Last updated on 04/19/2004