Tobacco Documents Online

I I I I I ~~XT MEETI`G D"kL: Thursday, Jui;r 1", 1980 1:00 - 4:00 p.M. Vorthend Modular L'nit 3300 N. Lcgan Lansing, MI CITIZENS' PANEL ON SM0KING aND fE_UT'r? M I'Y U T E S Conference Room 1-k and 2B Baker-Olin West Building Michigan Departnent of Public Health Jtme 19, 1980 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. I I %,0iBERS PRESE`T: Margaret Lee Arthur tir'eaver, , '•1. D . Douglas Vilnius James Howard Greggory Smith .Michael 'Mortimo_re Charles Mitchner Robert Ortwein `0tBERS ABSENT : Representative Raymond Hood Senator William Sederburg Norbert Reinstein George Watts Scott Simonds, Dr.P.H. Janice L\,eadowcroft Virginia Kjolhede Eleanor Barber Donald Breckon, Ph.D. James Terrian, M.D. Ben Barker, D.D.S Walter Maner III STAFF PRESENT: :4aurice S. ReiZen, M.D., Director, Michigan Department of Public Health William Clexton, Associate Director, Office of Local Health Services Kenneth Warner, Ph.D., Project Director Si:nny Sun Nai Fong, Chief, Office of Health Education Rhonda Famner, Student Assistant, Office of Health Education Russell Holmes, M.D., Division of Chronic Disease GUESTS Michael Spaniolo, Michigan Tobacco & Candy Vendors Association -31-

I. The meeting was called to crder by Maurice Rei_en, ',t.D. , 2irector of Public Health. After a round of intrcducticns '0Y Panel Te^~_,ers, Dr. Rei:en reviewed the histor: and respensibilities or t' e C'_ti:ens' Panel. The Citizens' Panel on Smoking and Fea;th was appointed by the Governor. A report of the Panel's reccrrmendaticns are to be cresented to the Governor by November 15, 1930. Dr. Reicen shared an excerpt from the Governor's State of the State message with Panel members. Dr. Rei_en appointed Dr. Clexton as Chai .rnan Pro Te:n until such time as the Panel shall elect a Chairman. I i I II. The packet materials were reviewed that each member received at the meeting which included an incor.plete address/phone list of Panel members, travel voucher, and a proposed schedule and agenda of meetings. III. Review of Background Paper - Professor Warner updated and reviewed the background paper that was sent to all Panel members. It was discussed that little data exists in the State of those who have cardiovascular disease who are also 7mokers. The recording of mortality data does not include the risk factor of smoking. Hospitals were suggested as a source of mortality data where information can be obtained on smoking. It was noted that nonsrokers exposed to secondhand smke suffer from adverse effects sir,tilar to that of smokers. r IV. Discussion of Policy Issues - It was emphasized that the Panel would recogni=e the differences that exist between adults and children and between preventing the initiation of smoking and encouraging the cessation of smoking. A Panel member noted that the school health education laws were vague. A law of 1886 mandated that the harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco be taught in the school. The Critical Health Problems Act does not mandate the teaching of health education. it was agreed that more information is needed on school heal th education such as require:r:ents by the state and local school health activities. A Panel member suggested an option within the area of economic strategies would be incentives given by insurance companies whereby nonsmokers would have lower insurance rates. Another member pointed out that this may not discourage much smoking and puts a burden on the smoker. It was also noted that verification of smoking is a problem here. It was suggested that one policy area might target the State ~fed.ical Association, hospitals and physicians. Providing training programs for physicians and smoking cessation as part of hospital patient ea:cation programs are alternatives. A ban was suggested on all advertising of tobacco predLcts. !bre info .rma- tion is needed on the extent of the State's legal powers. It was noted that there is a problem of youths smoking i-i the schcols. Non_mking is sometimes not enforced in schools and ce=liance varies within 1eca1 areas. A question was raised as to why ce,rmliance varies. It was indi- cated that there is "no smoking" allowed in the public schools in Detroit I h l -32- I- L

I I I I i i I I i I I ~ ~ L although this does not apply to private schools. Youths will smoke in the public school lavatory unless it is monitored by an adult. It was also indicated that "no smoking" is enforced in the Mt. Pleasant hool System while the student is on school grounds ; ho,,,;ever, this S~ restriction cannot be enforced cnce t::e youth crosses the street. A Panel member noted that enforcement was an administrative problem. A point was made that compliance with the "no smoking" restriction in restaurants varies in local areas. A suggestion was made that compli- ance could be monitored as part of the yearly licensing review of restaurants. A suggested policy alternative is to remove cigarette vending machines from all public buildings and hospitals. Another suggestion was that mass media be utilized to a greater extent. A question was raised as to whether or not an employee has a right to ask a fellow employee not to smoke in the office. A legal precedent was set in New Jersey which granted an employee a right to work in a smoke free environment. It was indicated that smoking can be a negoti- ated item per union. OSHA sets safety standards and smoking restric- tions in some occupational settings. Restrictions take the form of a "no smoking" sign. Some work places use consensus of the group as the standard. A policy alternative that was suggested was the use of tax deductions for people who are trying to quit smoking. It was noted that the federal government already gives a tax deduction to those people who are engaged in smoking cessation activities prescribed by a physician. A Panel member noted that nonsmokers have a public health base for their interest in the cessation of smoking. It was brought out that anti-smoking ads are infrequently used as they ccmpete with other public service announcements. Ari inquiry was made as to whether or not Michigan has the authority to grant an excise tax. It was stated that an evaluation component must be a part of any recorrnnenda- tions made by the Panel. A suggestion was made that there may be a relationship between stress and smoking. Utilizing methods of reducing stress and conflict may be necessary. A Panel member noted that within the economic policy arena the most feasible recommendations are those that will have the support of the tobacco companies. It was further emphasized that the support of all industries is needed. Teacher training requirements in heal th education was discussed. There are no uniform requirements as the curriculum of universities vary. It was suggested that in-service training may be an option. It was noted -33-

i that a model exists :or teacher training .,;orkshcos y-i substance abuse. Cemprehensive school health education is another suggested optien. Pre- sentlv local school districts decide the cur:=c•.ilw"n and :r:ethedology. A comprehensive corrmumity health educaticn program was also suggested. Stress was discussed as an i,rportant factor in the continuation of smoking. Children learn how to handle stress using their_parents as models. It was decided that the policy option categories in the background paper should remain. Media and other publicity are to be merged as one category; therefore, leaving five policy areas: 1) ecenomic, 2) media and other publicity, 3) legal, 4) health education (media may be included); and, 5) other policy options. V. Proposed Future Meetings and Agendas - It was pointed out that the Executive Ccr:znittee will work in between Panel meetings with the staff. The Executive Committee and staff will abstract infor.mation to bring to Panel meetings. Individuals-can make contribu- tions through the Executive Cetrmittee or directly to the Panel. The Executive Com.mittee will meet one week after the Panel meeting. It was decided that subcemni.ttees may be a feasible organizational structure providing a work group for each policy option. The July meeting will address the policy categories of economic and legal strategies. The :august meeting will focus on media, other publicity, and health education. T}•.e September meeting will include only other policy ar eas . It was agreed that the next meeting should be on Thursday, July 17th, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The August meeting date will need to be changed at the July meeting due to the fact that a nunber of people cannot attend on the proposed date. At subsequent meetings, the proposed meeting date for the following month will be confirmed. Any papers relating to the Panel's activities should be submitted to Sunny Fong, Office of Health Education. Infor.ration regarding the Panel and its activities should be directed to Sunny Fong, (517) 373-9437 and Rhonda Ihmner, (517) 373-9680 in the Michigan Departnent of Public Health and Ken Warner, (313) 764-2132 in the S&zol of Public Fealth, University of Michigan. -34- I I 1 I ~ I _, I t I L I L L