Breathe Free North youth make their way over to the Capitol.
ANSR staff and advocates turn out for Day at the Capitol 2015
The ClearWay “Tobacco is Still A Problem” Day at the Capitol on April 29 was a day of awesome advocacy and a great success. ANSR worked with more than 50 advocates representing seven organizations. These advocates spoke to more than 30 legislators about how tobacco is still a problem in Minnesota.
[gss link=”none” ids=”2598,2597,2596,2607,2578,2603,2565,2556,2608,2583,2602,2571,2555,2609,2604,2595,2558,2601,2570,2594″]On hand for the day were the Henry Sibley High ALMAS (Anglos Latinos Motivated to Succeed), Tartan High’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Aurora St. Anthony’s Vision in Living Life: Change is Possible, the LAAMPP Policy Champs, Southside Urban Coalition, NorthPoint’s Breathe Free North and Hamline law students. Advocates spent the morning learning about statewide tobacco issues and preparing for meetings with legislators. In the afternoon, they spoke individually with their legislators about tobacco-related issues.
Advocates educated their legislators on three issues:
- Regulating electronic cigarettes and adding them to clean indoor air ordinances,
- How the tobacco industry targets youth and minorities with flavored and menthol products,
- Keeping cigarette taxes high to keep youth from starting smoking and encourage smokers to quit.