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MOVING FORWARD WITH BREATHE IN 2014 |
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Now that the holiday season is over, all of us here at Breathe California have hit the ground running as we move forward into 2014! With several major developments underway throughout the Sacramento region, we anticipate a lot of exciting news and announcements from the local clean air and lung health front to share with you over the coming year.
To help keep you up-to-date with the latest happenings without over-burdening your inbox, we will be sending out a short, monthly e-newletter featuring program announcements, volunteer spotlights, legistlative calls-to-action and ways to get involved throughout 2014 and beyond. Read on to learn about what's happening right now... |
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Seeking Aspiring Young Artists Inspired by Clean Air (and Cash!)
 For the past seven years, BREATHE has hosted an annual high school art contest in conjunction with the Clean Air Awards Luncheon. This year, through a new partnership with Crocker Art Museum, we're expanding the contest, and opening it to ALL high school students living in our Northern California region! Student artists of all mediums are invited to enter the contest with a piece inspired by the theme: Clean Air.
First Place winners in all categories will win a $100 cash prize. First, Second and Third Place winners in each category are invited to be honored guests at the 2014 Clean Air Awards Luncheon where they will receive public recognition for their acheivements. All winning pieces will be formally displayed at the Clean Air Awards Luncheon, as well as other local establishments to be determined. For more information, please visit our website or contact Raquel Lopez.
Do you know a young artist who would like to enter?
Please click here to download an Intent of Entry Form and additional contest guidelines. Intent of Entry forms must be submitted by February 21!
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 Assemblyman Dickinson Aims to Protect Young Lungs with AB 1500
Last week, former BREATHE board president, Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, introduced Assembly Bill 1500 which seeks to curb tobacco use among minors by banning internet sales of both tobacco and e-cigarettes.
"Although great progress has been made to curb teen smoking, the use of e-cigarettes and the internet availability of tobacco products pose a serious risk," says Dickinson. "AB 1500 will make it impossible for young people to order e-cigarettes or other tobacco products online thereby safeguarding them from the dangers of smoking," he added.
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Nicotine-containing products like these are quickly gaining popularity among middle and high school students.
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Internet sales of tobacco products currently represent 6% to 14% of total US tobacco sales. These sales pose a serious threat to the health and safety of children because verification of age is hard to obtain when the buyer is not in the physical presence of the seller. Nearly 20% of cigarette-selling websites say nothing about sales to minors being prohibited. Most of the sites require the buyer to merely state they are of legal age (i.e., by clicking on a "I Am Over Age 18" button), another 15% require only that the buyer type in a date of birth, and only 7% require any drivers license information.
"This year in California alone, 23,500 kids will become new daily smokers," says BREATHE CEO, Kori Titus. "With recent CDC reports revealing that newer products such as e-cigarettes and hookah pens are quickly gaining popularity among middle- and high-school students, this bill will help protect California's children by taking another step to keep these products out of their hands."
AB 1500 will be heard by the legislature over the coming months. If passed, it will also generate approximately $24 million in tax revenue for California.
Click here to view news coverage of this story from CBS, featuring commentary from our very own Kori Titus!
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Nominate a Local Clean Air Champion
Deadline: January 31, 2014
Cleaning the air here in the Sacramento Valley is no easy feat. The challenges we face are complex and multi-faceted. While there is no simple one-size-fits-all solution to our air pollution problem, there are many among us who are actively working to lead our community in the right direction.
Some lead by example, and have chosen to exchange their cars for bicycles. Some are sharing their passion by educating young people about how to live environmentally responsible, sustainable lifestyles. Some are fighting for stricter air quality regulations and enforcement measures at every level of government, while others are developing technologies that will revolutionize modern industry.
Whatever their method, we believe that the emerging Clean Air Champions in our region deserve public recognition and praise for their extraordinary efforts!
From now through January 31st, we are currently accepting nominations for our 2014 Clean Air Awards. All nominations will be reviewed by our esteemed Blue Ribbon Panel, and winners will be formally recognized at the 2014 Clean Air Awards Luncheon on May 29th. If you know someone who
is working hard to clean our air - please click here and take a moment to |
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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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Get Involved
Volunteer at the Hacks
We need volunteers with a variety of talents to assist with the 19th Annual Hackademy Awards on Saturday, March 1st.
Donate a Wishlist Item
We are currently seeking in-kind donations of goods and/or services for the Hackademy Awards. All donors will be recognized in the Hackademy Awards event program.
Click here to see our wishlist!
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. |
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Volunteer Spotlight:
Sophie Coss
Sophie is a junior at Bella Vista High School where she plays on the varsity tennis team. She also enjoys public speaking and educating people about asthma. She was diagnosed with asthma as a 10th grade athlete and is passionate about sharing her story to raise awareness about the disease and help encourage others to not let asthma limit their athletic goals.
"I personally care about BREATHE and its mission because I've had asthma almost my entire life, but didn't know it until 10th grade! I could have gone much further with my athletics if I had been diagnosed earlier. I want to help other people like me realize the dangers of undiagnosed asthma. As a YAB member, I hope to lead presentations that inform people about asthma: what causes it, how to diagnose it, and how to take the precautions necessary to get the most out of life despite an asthma diagnosis!"
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