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Tobacco takes as many lives worldwide as TB, malaria and HIV/AIDS combined. Deaths will double to 10 million a year in the next two decades. And heavily hyped Hollywood blockbusters that promote smoking are a big reason why. Click on the image to the left to read more, then sign the petition to tell movie-makers what you think of using movies to promote cigarettes.

Afterschool is Key!
"Afterschool is Key: Please Don't Lock Us Out of Afterschool Programs!" is an action campaign created in response to the budget cuts that many afterschool programs are facing at the local, state and federal levels. Too many programs are in jeopardy of closing-even while the demand for afterschool programs continues to grow. For more information on how to participate in the "Afterschool is Key" education and advocacy campaign, go to: The AfterSchool Alliance Website

End Special Protection of the Tobacco Industry
Despite making products that kill more than 400,000 people each year, tobacco today remains one of the most unregulated industries in America. Did you know that? For years Big Tobacco has been given special protection by the Federal government and has escaped almost all health and safety regulations that apply to other products.

Last week, Senators Mike DeWine and Ted Kennedy, along with Representatives Tom Davis and Henry Waxman, introduced the bipartisan Family Smoking and Tobacco Prevention Act to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the right to regulate tobacco.

FDA regulation of tobacco will stop the tobacco industry from targeting kids, make it easier for current smokers to quit, make current tobacco products less harmful, and force Big Tobacco to tell the truth about what is in their products and the harm they cause.

What would the Family Smoking and Tobacco Prevention Act do?
Stop Marketing and Sales of Tobacco Products to Children -- Effective regulation of the tobacco industry would reduce youth smoking by: (1) restricting marketing and advertising that appeals to kids, and (2) cracking down on illegal tobacco sales to children.

Make Tobacco Products Less Harmful and Less Addictive -- FDA would have authority to require changes in tobacco products including 1) removing or reducing harmful chemicals and 2) reducing levels of nicotine to make products less addictive.

Access to Tobacco Manufacturers' Research -- The FDA and the public would have access to all the research the tobacco industry has conducted on the health effects of their products, as well as the impact of their marketing.

Disclose What Is In Tobacco Products -- The tobacco companies would have to disclose the ingredients and additives in their products. Larger and More Effective Warning Labels -- Health warnings would have to cover at least 30 percent of the front and back of cigarette packs. FDA could require manufacturers to change the size, location, content and color of warnings to make them more effective.

Prohibit Deceptive Health Claims –- The FDA would have authority to prohibit tobacco companies from deceiving the public with unsubstantiated claims that some tobacco products are safer. Tobacco companies could only make such claims if they were scientifically proven and would not discourage smokers from quitting or encourage people to start smoking.

Ban Misleading Terms Like "Light", "Low-Tar" -- The legislation bans the use of terms like "light", "mild" and "low-tar" because cigarettes labeled as such have been proven to be no safer and mislead the public.

Where to get more information

To read the Family Smoking and Tobacco Prevention Act (all 155 pages) Click Here.

FAQ about FDA regulation of tobacco can be found by clicking here.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids press release about the Family Smoking and Tobacco Prevention Act can be found here.

A more detailed summary of the Family Smoking and Tobacco Prevention Act can be found here.

From: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids 1400 I Street NW Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20005

What's 'Scary' about Scary Movie 3? It Promotes Beer to Youth... Click here to tell Coors to stop targeting youth with beer ads.