Advocacy Project: Letter to Public Official

December 6, 2009
Senator Amy Klobuchar
U.S. Sentae
302 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, DC 20510


Dear Senator Klobuchar:

I am writing to you to vote YES to the H.R.1256 bill which is promoting regulation of tobacco products in order to protect public health.  Smoking poses a seriously problem not only in the state of Minnesota but all over the nation as well. In fact, every year tobacco causes more than 440,000 deaths in the United States. Ironically, of these 440,000 deaths, 38,000 are from secondhand smoke. In the last 40 years around 12 million Americans have died prematurely because of smoking!

Unfortunately the effects of smoking are being seen in adolescents as well. Cigarettes are currently the main way that tobacco is being used by adolescents. However, smokeless tobacco/chew is an emerging issues that must be addressed. Internet sales of tobacco is yet another way that adolescents are illegally getting their hands on tobacco products. Recent surveys also show that it is much easier to obtain tobacco from friends and family. Something must be done in order to stop the trend and reverse the numbers that are continuing to spiral out of control. The following are some ideas for improving the high tobacco use among adolescents grades 9-12: increased tobacco prices, smoke-free policies in workplaces, public places and schools, reduced prices on cessation services, and telephone quitlines.

I hope that some of these ideas could be incorporated into the passing of H.R. 1256. I firmly believe that if you vote yes on this bill and it is put into effect that we will see results in the community and a decrease in the number of illnesses and deaths associated with smoking.

Thank you for taking the time to read about the importance of voting yes on H.R. #1256. 


Sincerely, 


Kristin D
(contact)