| WORKING TOWARD A TOBACCO-FREE FUTURE |
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This month, we're taking on Big Tobacco as we strive to eliminate preventable lung disease in the Sacramento Valley. Read on to learn more... |
Thumbs Up! Thumbs Down! Data Cited in Surgeon General's Report
 In case you missed it in the national headlines, last month marked the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's report on smoking and health. To commemorate this historic occasion, the current Acting Surgeon General, Boris Lushniak, released an extended 50th Anniversary Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health.
This report served as both a celebration of the significant progress made toward reducing smoking rates in the United States over the last fifty years, and a strong call-to-action to eliminate the influence of tobacco on our youth in hopes of creating our nation's first tobacco-free generation. 
Within the report, Lushniak specifically mentions Hollywood's tobacco-centric culture as a primary influence that leads to youth tobacco initiation. The data collected by BREATHE's very own
We are so proud of all our TUTD youth volunteers, and the thousands of hours they contribute each year to make this valuable information on smoking in movies available to the public. It is always an honor to see their hard work recognized on the national stage!
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The 2014 Hackademy Awards
ABOUT THE HACKS
On Saturday, March 1st, the Thumbs Up! Thumbs Down! (TUTD) youth volunteers are rolling out the red carpet once again to celebrate the 19th Annual Hackademy Awards, aka "The Hacks." Now in its 19th year, this event aims to prevent youth tobacco initiation by raising teens' awareness about the subtle, but powerful influence of tobacco imagery in movies. This event is proudly supported by our Four Star Presenting Sponsor, Western Health Advantage.
As in years past, our TUTD movie reviewers will present
Thumbs Up! and Thumbs Down! Awards to movies, actors and actresses based on their portrayals of tobacco use in a mock Hollywood-style awards ceremony. This year, however, we're excited to be taking things to the next level!
NEW CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS IN 2014
This year, volunteers from our Youth Advisory Board (YAB) are joining TUTD in their efforts to make the Hacks an impactful, entertaining experience for all who attend. For the first time in the event's nineteen-year history, the ceremony script will be written by a committee composed of students from both groups to ensure that the message is clear, compelling and accessible to the teens we hope to reach.  Through a new partnership with the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center's ACT-UP program, along with active outreach efforts throughout Sacramento's performing arts community - this year's ceremony will include live performances from local students including, Monsterz, Inc, a hip-hop dance crew from Luther Burbank High School and special guest artist Kolawole Tokeaux. Preshow entertainment will also feature original anti-tobacco PSA's produced by ACT-UP students.
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Fun in the Photobooth at the 2013 Hacks After Party |
2014 AFTER PARTY LINE UP
Following the awards ceremony, teens will enjoy an exciting after party hosted by 107.9 The End, featuring live performances by Brodi Nicholas, Connor & Karlee and Kolawole Tokeaux. Students in attendance will also enjoy free food, courtesy of McDonald's and Renaissance Food Group, and a variety of games and activities geared toward leading health, active, tobacco-free lifestyles.
While the teens celebrate downstairs, adults are invited to attend our upstairs VIP After Party where heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be served amidst live performances by Brodi Nicholas, Clemon Charles and Sheldon Jazz Band.
HOW TO ATTEND
Adults: Adults who wish to attend in support of our student volunteer programs may purchase VIP Tickets for $40 each. The ticket price includes admission with reserved seating and access to the VIP lounge, featuring live music, heavy hors d'oeuvres and adult beverages. VIP Tickets are still available for purchase online
Want to Learn More?
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Students enjoying the 2013 Teen After Party |
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YAB Earns Coveted GABY Grant for Peer-to-Peer Tobacco Education
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YAB Member, Robert Bender, presents the group's proposal to the GABY selection board. |
Our 2013-14 Youth Advisory Board (YAB) has been awarded a competitive grant from the Grants Advisory Board for Youth (GABY) of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. This grant award will enable the group to educate their peers on emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, flavored cigarillos and hookah pens.
YAB will begin their "Emerging Tobacco Products Education" campaign by conducting surveys among their peers to learn which products are most popular and determine the most common misconceptions about their use. Based on the results of their survey research, the students will create educational materials to be distributed around school campuses and on popular social media outlets, such as Facebook and Instagram.
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BREATHE's 2013-14 Youth Advisory Board |
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Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for some of our exciting 2014 Events!
Hackademy Awards
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Clean Air Awards Luncheon
Wednesday, May 29, 2014
2014 Breathe California Statewide Conference
June 6-7, 2014
More info. coming soon!
Emigrant Trails Bike Trek
September 5-7, 2014
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Stop Trade Agreements from Undermining Tobacco Restrictions!
Right now, Congress is considering an international trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would undermine efforts to restrict tobacco.
If passed, the TPP would give the tobacco industry more power to attack public health and increase the leverage of global corporations to challenge environmental restrictions, including measures that reduce global warming.
California has come too far in the fight against big tobacco to allow such sweeping preemptions in international trade law. Tell your U.S. senators and representative to oppose the TPP efforts to "Fast Track" it through Congress.
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Get Involved
Volunteer at the Hacks
We need volunteers with a variety of talents to assist with the 19th Annual Hackademy Awards at Sacramento Turn Verein on Saturday, March 1st.
Join our E-Advocacy Network
Stay informed about our latest policy and advocacy efforts. Sign up to recieve timely action alerts and learn how you can make a difference.
Click here to sign up today!
Become a Contributor for The Breathe Blog
Do you like to write? Are you passionate about clean air or healthy lungs? If so, we want you to share your story on The Breathe Blog! Contact Erin for more information. |
Volunteer Spotlight:
Mark Gilroy
Where do you work?
I am the Community Relations Manager at Western Health Advantage (WHA), a Northern California health plan known for its exceptional customer service and quality health care. My role is to create relationships with local organizations in an effort to strengthen the fabric of and enrich the lives of our neighborhoods.
What are your hobbies?
Basking in nature's glory, wine tasting, and spending quality time with my four-legged kids.
Why do you volunteer for BREATHE?
I believe in Breathe California's mission: To fight lung disease in all of its forms and work with our communities to protect lung health.
What is your favorite volunteer role at BREATHE?
I love organizing our Bike Trek team for WHA. Our employees exemplify our corporate objectives and philosophy of "giving back". Each year, they donate more than 2,000 volunteer hours serving on boards, working in schools, and supporting local non-profit organizations in a wide variety of ways.
Fun Fact about yourself:
I love organizing, budgeting and planning - tasks that make most people cringe.
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Create a Poster & Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
Put your creativity to good use in the Western Health Advantage "Stop Smoking" Poster Contest!
Create a poster that illustrates the three primary benefits of NOT smoking for your chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.
Deadline for Entry: February 27 |
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