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PRESS RELEASE -- September 19, 2000
Foege Appointed to Tobacco Commission
Des Moines, Iowa - Representative Ro Foege, (D-Mt. Vernon) attended the
first meeting of the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Division Commission
on September 18th in West Des Moines. Also known as the Tobacco Council, the
group will be responsible for determining how to utilize funds from the
tobacco settlement to establish a statewide comprehensive program that
partners the state with communities and schools in efforts to reduce tobacco
use.
Approximately 12,000 Iowa children become regular smokers each year.
"This council has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stop thousands of
teens from becoming addicted to tobacco,” said Foege. Just two years ago,
Foege’s brother died of a tobacco related illness. “We know that tobacco
use is the most devastating, yet preventable, cause of disease and premature
death today,” Foege said.
Fourteen Iowans die each day from tobacco-related diseases. To make matters
even worse, 33 Iowans begin using tobacco every day, most of them young
people! National studies have shown that about 10% of middle school children
are smoking cigarettes.
Earlier this year, Governor Tom Vilsack signed legislation allocating
approximately $55 million to health-related programs. Foege was a key
legislator in the development and passage of this bill.
Foege is one of four ex officio legislators on the council. The council
includes seven Iowans who represent nonprofit health organizations, health
service providers, groups involved in tobacco cessation and prevention
efforts, a retailer, and other citizens. Three members are high school
students who were chosen at the Youth Tobacco Forum in July.
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