Latest Court Ruling on Tobacco Labels is Unconscionable, Says American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown

Washington, D.C.— American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown issued the following comments yesterday on the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon that the Food and Drug Administration’s tobacco warning labels are unconstitutional:

“The district court ruling that the FDA’s tobacco warning labels violate the First Amendment is unconscionable.

In his decision, Judge Leon stated that tobacco warning labels fail to convey any factual information about the health consequences of smoking. Nothing could be further from the truth. These labels clearly depict the terrible effects of tobacco addiction. Additionally, research has shown that these images are very effective in reducing tobacco use.

The American Heart Association believes that the graphic depictions of smoking-related diseases on cigarette packages will drive home the message that tobacco use is an equal opportunity killer, affecting smokers and nonsmokers alike. Cigarette smoking causes about 443,000 premature deaths each year and about 49,000 of these deaths are due to secondhand smoke.

In the United States, about one-third of smoking-related deaths are linked to heart disease and stroke.

Tobacco warning labels play a vital role to help current smokers quit and keep children from becoming addicted. Without them there could be more deaths from tobacco addiction and more profits for the tobacco industry.

While Judge Leon’s ruling was not unexpected given his earlier decision to block graphic warning labels, we sincerely hope this decision will be overturned on appeal.”

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http://newsroom.heart.org/pr/aha/latest-court-ruling-on-tobacco-229841.aspx

Wisconsin Advocates Headed to the White House

Longtime volunteer and heart disease survivor, Jack Simono and Amy Basken, mother of a congenital heart defect survivor and passionate volunteer, are headed to the White House!

Jack and Amy are two of 70 American Heart Association volunteer advocates invited to a White House “Community Leaders Briefing” on cardiovascular health this Friday as part of American Heart Month. Jack was featured in the White House press release about the event. Read the White House’s full press release here.

Join Jack and Amy virtually for the big day! The White House will be live streaming the event from 9:00am to 12:00pm EST and you can tune in to hear from top Administration officials about the legislation, regulations, and initiatives being pursued to help fight our nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers, heart disease and stroke. To watch this event live, visit www.whitehouse.gov/live.

“The American Heart Association and WomenHeart are key partners in our efforts to win the fight against heart disease and educate people about this critical public health challenge,” said Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Jon Carson. “We’re looking forward to having them here at the White House to discuss ways to take action against a disease that takes the lives of over half a million Americans every year.”

You can also follow updates and join in day’s discussion through Twitter and Facebook:

1) Follow the @AmHeartAdvocacy Twitter feed and share your own thoughts and comments using the #HeartAtTheWH hashtag. From 3:30-4:15, Jon Carson (@JonCarson44), Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, will host a Tweet-Up with AHA volunteer-advocates to answer questions, so be sure to join us!

2) Follow event highlights through posts, pictures, and videos on the You’re the Cure Facebook page. Comment, share, and post your own thoughts about this special event.

Heart on the Hill A Success!

Wisconsin advocates gathered in Madison on February 9, 2012 for our first Heart on the Hill Lobby Day. The event focused on ensuring all babies born in Wisconsin are tested for congenital heart defects using pulse oximetry prior to hospital discharge.

More than 40 advocates from across the state, including nurses and doctors from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and UW Health, representatives from Mended Little Hearts, survivors and caregivers and many passionate volunteers, attended the event and helped share the American Heart Association mission and legislative priorities with Wisconsin legislators.

Attendees began the day hearing volunteer Melanie Moody’s story about her son Aidan (watch Aidan’s story here). Dr. John Hokanson, a cardiologist from UW Hospital and Amy Basken, from Mended Little Hearts and also a member of the AHA Wisconsin Advocacy Committee member, provided attendees with an issue briefing and background on pulse oximetry. Then advocates received a brief refresher on the legislative process in Wisconsin and were provided easy tips on talking to legislators. Finally, the group spent the afternoon meeting with their lawmakers, seeking their support on pulse oximetry screening for newborns.

Check out more photos of the event on our Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/AmerHeartWisc

Also, the issue garnered a lot of media coverage. Be sure to check out the following stories:

Amy Basken on WKOW27 from February 5

Van Wie Family on NBC15 from February 11

Melanie Mooney & Dr. Hokanson on WKOW27 from February 13 & 14

Pulse Ox featured in Wisconsin State Journal from July 12

Wisconsin Senate Passes Assembly Bill 93 to Curb Youth Access to Tobacco Products

In response to the Senate passage yesterday of AB 93, which makes it illegal for adults to purchase non-cigarette tobacco products for minors, the American Cancer Society, SmokeFree Wisconsin, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association issued the following joint statement:

“We would like to thank Representative Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay), author of AB 93, and the state Senate for taking action to reduce youth access to all tobacco products."

“Research shows 80 percent of adult smokers become addicted before the age of 18, and youth who use smokeless tobacco are also more likely to become cigarette smokers later in life. By working to curb youth tobacco use – still the number one cause of preventable death in Wisconsin – our state can save lives and money. This bill is a step in that direction. We urge the Governor to move quickly to sign this common sense, public health measure into law."

“Making it illegal for adults to purchase any tobacco products for minors is an important first step toward combatting the growing threat of smokeless and spitless tobacco products marketed to youth. Some of these evolving products come in flavors like chocolate, wild cherry, sour apple and watermelon; a sure sign the tobacco industry is targeting youth."

“We look forward to working with lawmakers, including Representative Bies, to further reduce youth access to tobacco products and to prevent kids from a lifetime of tobacco addiction.”

The Assembly passed AB 93 in October 2011. AB 93 now heads to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

Tell Your Heart Story and Join the Go Red For Women Casting Call!

Saturday, Feb. 25th * Casting call interviews from 11 am – 3 pm

Macy's Go Red For Women Fashion Show at 12:30 pm

The American Heart Association is hoping to make a lasting connection with one special lady at it’s Go Red For Women Casting Call. Heart disease and stroke survivors and heart health supporters are invited for a chance to become a national
spokeswoman for the Association.

Wear red and participate in a short, taped interview with a WLUK FOX11 news personality.

Share how heart disease has touched your life!

Macy’s Center Court, Fox River Mall
RSVP for the event at facebook.com/AmerHeartWisc
For more information, contact Katie Maxwell at (920) 840-3416