The new Omaha city ordinance that will require all retail tobacco and nicotine products to be behind the counter or under lock and key takes effect on February 1, 2003.

The ordinance was passed unanimously on October 8, 2002 by the Omaha City Council and was signed into law by Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey on October 10. The intent of the law is to keep addictive tobacco products out of the reach of children.

The effective date was purposely set in order to give retail establishments over three months to reconfigure their businesses to accommodate the change. The law affects all businesses except specialty humidor cigar stores and vending machines.

The ordinance was sponsored by Councilman Garry Gernandt at the suggestion of several youth groups that had studied youth access to tobacco in the Omaha area. Other communities wishing to replicate the ordinance can contact the PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. office for copies of the legislation.

The public is encouraged to report any violations of this new ordinance after February 1, 2003 to our office at 402-397-3309. Ì

The budget proposed by Governor Mike Johanns on January 15, 2003 would slash Nebraska’s tobacco prevention program by more than one-half.

According to the proposed budget, the current funding of $7 million per year for tobacco prevention will be sliced to $3 million annually.

The money for the “Tobacco Free Nebraska” prevention program is funded out of a temporary portion of the annual $50 million Nebraska payment from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the states and the tobacco industry. The MSA explicitly states that at least a portion of the settlement money should be used for tobacco prevention in each state.

Tobacco prevention has had tremendous results recently. While the use of all other drugs by children in Nebraska has risen steadily in recent years, tobacco use has gone down dramatically during this funding period.

There is no money in the long-range budget from the Master Settlement Agreement in Nebraska for tobacco prevention. Governor Johanns' budget allocation would come from his proposed $.20 cigarette tax increase, a tax that is strongly supported by drug prevention advocates.

Funding tobacco prevention at the present level could come from the $50 million available to Nebraska each year from the MSA. No other current programs would need to be cut.

Flags in Massachusetts flew at half-staff on January 23, 2003. Otto Moulton, longtime drug prevention leader and expert, had died five days earlier following a brief illness.

Otto and his wife Connie had worked tirelessly for over 25 years informing the world, and especially the parent drug prevention movement, about drugs and the drug culture that promotes drug use.

Otto and Connie created and distributed their own publication, The Committees of Correspondence. This newsletter contained accurate, research-based information. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, their information was often the only reliable information to challenge the pro-drug messages being aimed especially at young people.

The Moultons used their own money to finance their involvement and to travel all over the country to talk to thousands of parents and adolescents. They were invited to Australia, Europe, Alaska and Hawaii.

Otto became involved in the prevention movement when, as a coach for softball and hockey, he observed the intense problems drugs were causing his players and their friends. His concern for young people thrust him into the fight to keep them drug-free.

Otto testified before Congress and was a drug prevention advisor to Nancy Reagan. Otto assisted in the formation of Drug Watch International, a non-profit organization composed of volunteer drug prevention specialists, researchers, and policy experts whose mission is to help assure a healthier and safer world through drug prevention.

Following the stunning November 5 defeat of marijuana legalization initiatives in Nevada, Arizona, and Ohio, one powerful pro-drug lobby is declaring war on the man who helped defeat those measures.

Robert Kampia, Executive Director of the pro-drug Marijuana Policy Project, launched his official “War on the Drug Czar” at a national news conference on December 4. Kampia is an admitted marijuana user and convicted drug dealer. In 1989, he was convicted of growing 96 marijuana plants in his apartment.

Kampia has filed state and federal complaints against John Walters, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He called for removal of Mr. Walters for “gross violations of the Hatch act.” Kampia promised that the pro-marijuana fight will return stronger with more pro-drug legislation introductions in the Midwest and Northeast.

John Walters assisted local organizations to defeat the state initiatives. Grassroots volunteers in Nevada fought a multi-million dollar legalization campaign with limited funds but strong determination. Parents, drug preventionists, teachers, and concerned citizens filled gallon-size bags with parsley to demonstrate how much marijuana people could possess if legalization of three ounces of marijuana were passed. Mr. Walters went to the state and spoke out with local citizens.

Susie Dugan, Executive Director of PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. expressed outrage that Kampia declared war on the drug czar. “Those of us who are fighting for drug-free children applaud Mr. Walters for sticking his neck out to help ordinary citizens try to fight the super-rich drug legalization movement.”

Mr. John Walters, Director

Office of National Drug Control Policy

750 17^th Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20503

The following is a list of drug prevention priorities for Nebraska policy change in 2002-2003 as identified by the Board of Directors of PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. These priorities are based on the “best practices” strategies of the drug prevention field. They recognize the importance of supporting and enforcing clear, consistent “no-use” messages and policies regarding children and the drugs they use.

This 3-year program ends December 31, 2003. Governor Mike Johanns has proposed re-funding it at the rate of $3 million per year, with funding coming from his proposed $.20 tobacco tax increase. This program could be funded through the Master Settlement Agreement, which provides $50 million per year to Nebraska. Most voters agree that Master Settlement money should fund tobacco prevention programs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that states the size of Nebraska should be spending $31 million each year to fully fund comprehensive tobacco control programs.

The temporary tobacco tax increase approved by state lawmakers last year should be made permanent.

Studies indicate that when the price increases significantly on alcohol or tobacco, use by adolescents decreases proportionately. Children are the most price-sensitive consumers of these two addictive drugs. Since use of alcohol or tobacco almost always starts in childhood, proven policies and efforts aimed at preventing adolescent drug use should become a very high priority. Alcohol taxes have not been increased in Nebraska since 1987. Alcohol costs society at least $100 billion each year in deaths, hospitalizations, and lost productivity. Cigarettes would have to be taxed at $7 per pack to pay for their cost to society. Some of the tax revenue could be used to fund prevention and treatment programs and the rest can be used to address the deficit.

As all revenue is examined to address the deficit, this fund should be left as it is — addressing health care needs of Nebraskans.

The tobacco industry has a history of encouraging exemptions and adding preemption language to tobacco bills. Preemption denies local control of this issue and is a major goal of the tobacco industry. Studies show that children smoke less when there are fewer locations available to smoke.

There has been a 68% increase in the use of marijuana by Nebraska high school students in just six years. (Nebraska Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, 1993 and 1999.) One recent survey in one Omaha school found that 46% of the seniors had tried marijuana. Anecdotal reports and a survey in the Omaha metropolitan area (Heartland Youth Initiative Youth Forums Report, 1999) indicate that adolescents think marijuana can’t be so bad since kids don’t get into much trouble if they are caught with “small” amounts of this drug. Nebraska de-criminalized possession of less than one ounce of marijuana in 1979; however, our teens rarely knew this. Marijuana was not used much by Nebraska teens until the recent national surge of marijuana use and promotion hit home. Now our law is being cited by our children as one reason Nebraska children use marijuana.

Tobacco companies pay large slotting fees to have products on the other side of the counter, away from cashier’s scrutiny. Tobacco is placed near candy, soda pop, and other products which appeal to children and are at a child’s eye level. It is time to require all tobacco products be placed behind the counter. It is time to mandate face-to-face sales. The tobacco industry continuously proposes to stiffen the penalty on children while ignoring the marketing practices which make tobacco so appealing to children. This legislation must not have preemption language attached.

Teens see more television ads for beer than for sneakers, gum, or jeans, according to the latest report from the Georgetown University Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY).

Teens saw almost 25% (or more than 51,000) of the 209,909 alcohol commercials on television in 2001. Researchers say beer and ale advertising exceeded the advertising delivered to youth audiences for fruit juices, gum, skin care products, sneakers, soft drinks, and jeans.

Overall, alcohol advertising reached 89% of the youth audience, who on average saw 345 alcohol ads each. The study also found that one-fourth of the alcohol ads were placed on shows that were more likely to be seen by underage viewers than by adults of legal drinking age.

Four beer and ale brands accounted for more than 50% of the total spending of television ads analyzed: Coors Light, Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Bud Light.

The New York State Assembly ~ Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee has begun an official study to examine if the makers of alcohol are trying to attract underage New Yorkers through their advertising and marketing strategies.

The American Medical Association (AMA) called for a ban on all alcohol television ads before 10 pm. Richard Yoast, Director of the AMA’s Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse made the recommendation at a meeting of the organization’s House of Delegates in New Orleans, December 9.

“The use of alcohol before the brain is fully adult, age 20 or 21, causes long-term and possibly irreversible damage,” said Yoast. Adolescent drinkers did worse than non-abusers of the same age on at least seven mental tests, he said.

A KOLN/KGIN-TV unscientific poll conducted on January 21-22, 2003 found that a whopping 77% of those voting said “yes” to the question “Do you think all restaurants in Nebraska should be smoke free?”

On January 17, State Senator Nancy Thompson, District 14, announced the results of a voter survey she had conducted in her home district of Papillion. When asked, “Should the state increase cigarette taxes from their current 64 cents per pack?”, 73% of the voters said “yes”.

A recent survey of 1,000 Douglas County residents conducted by Professional Research Consultants found that 82% said they prefer to dine in smoke-free restaurants.

The Miller Lite Beer commercial called “Catfight” begins with two women fighting and ripping each other’s clothes off while falling into a swimming pool. It continues with them “mud” wrestling wearing only their bras and panties in freshly-poured concrete. The ad ends in a bar, with two men who had fantasized the entire scene as their idea of a great commercial. The ad has been running since January 1 during the NFL playoffs and college football games.

Miller spokesperson Ron Acosta stated in USA Today, 1/15/03, that most of the complaints his company has had on the ad are from over-40 married women with families. Miller Lite brand manager Tom Bick also stated the ad is “a lot tamer than some of the reality TV shows popular with consumers”.

However, PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. Executive Director Susie Dugan states, “Parents can choose or not choose which programs their children watch. Commercials, however, appear and are seen by children whether we want them to see them or not.”

After a call from a concerned mom who had telephoned Miller Brewing Company to complain about the ad, Ms. Dugan called the company and was told that Miller will continue to run the ads during sporting events that are seen by many young people, especially young boys.

To contact the company:

3939 West Highland Boulevard

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201

1-414-931-2000

www.millerbrewing.com

. . . three videos that are missing from the PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. Resource Center?

Just when we think we have a great lending system in place, we have lost the following videos:

On December 10, 2002, the city health commission of Boston approved a ban on smoking in restaurants, bars, and other workplaces. The ban had the full support of Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino. Menino declared, “A healthier city is a stronger city and this measure will go a long way toward improving the quality of life for the people of Boston.”

On December 18, the New York City Council passed a law that prohibits smoking in most restaurants, bars, offices, pool halls, bingo parlors, and bowling alleys. Said Councilman Gifford Miller, “People shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their jobs.”

The City Council of Pueblo, Colorado, passed an ordinance to eliminate smoking in all public places, including bars and restaurants. The law took effect on January 1. Pueblo becomes the eleventh city in Colorado to pass smoke-free workplace legislation.

In December, the City Council in Benicia, California unanimously approved an amendment to its smoking ordinance that restricts smoking near doorways. The law will create a 20-foot no-smoking buffer zone between entrances, exits, windows, and ventilation intake systems of public buildings.

On January 22, 2003, the Dallas City Council passed a smoke-free restaurant ordinance that also put more restrictions on smoking in bars.

The following states have passed smoke-free restaurant/worksite legislation: California, Delaware, Florida, Maine, South Dakota, Utah, and Vermont.

Norway’s government on November 11, 2002 proposed new legislation to make all worksites smoke-free, including restaurants and bars. If passed, the law would make it the first country in the world to be smoke-free.

In the past, too many lives have been lost or negatively impacted by the combination of teens and alcohol or other drugs.

Each year PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. contacts all high schools throughout the metropolitan Omaha area for dates and locations of prom and graduation activities. This information is then compiled and shared with all school principals, hotel/motel owners, media, limousine services and law enforcement agencies so all can take extra care to assure safe, healthy, memorable activities for teens.

PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. will provide 12,000 free plastic tote bags for post-prom use to schools, on a first-come, first-served basis. We will also provide parent information, table tents and other materials to schools. All are free of charge.

The public is also encouraged to support drug-free prom and graduation festivities. You can report anyone who is planning a party where alcohol or other drugs will be available to children before they occur by calling the M.I.P. Hotline at 402-393-4444.

Activities will be held in every state and several nations. These events take place in schools, businesses, churches, and many other places. Young people and their supporters are powerful voices in the fight against tobacco. Many different activities will be conducted including Operation Storefront, Mock Trial/Mock Funeral for Mr. Butts, What’s Really In A Cigarette? and an Anti-Tobacco Track Meet.

A Manual that is filled with activity ideas for Kick Butts Day is available from PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. or on the Internet at www.tobaccofreekids.org or www.kickbuttsday.org. The kit includes valuable hints for media coverage of Kick Butts Day activities.

A supplemental prevention curriculum for grades kindergarten through third is available from PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.

The “Addiction is Not Fashionable” campaign that was announced in the last edition of this newsletter has already produced results. On January 23, 2003, the Christian Dior Parfums Company announced that it would make sweeping changes to the “Dior Addict” product promotion campaign.

PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.’s Resource Catalogue lists over 133 educational videos, 27 different drug prevention curricula/activity guides and over 475 fact sheets and flyers. These resources can be used in classrooms, with youth groups, or at home.

Teachers can easily use the videos as short, but effective, lesson plans for drug prevention. Many school districts in the metropolitan Omaha are members of PRIDE-Omaha, Inc., so there is no charge for this service to those schools.

A new and dangerous club drug is making its way onto the RAVE scene in America. The drug is called Ya-Ba and is an extremely pure form of methamphetamine.