ABOUT US > Annual Reports > 2004-2005

 

Welcome Letter from our CEO

Dear Friends:

Maine made public health history this year, and the American Lung Association of Maine played a leadership role. With the passage of a one dollar increase in the cigarette excise tax, Maine took a bold step forward to combat the health consequences, suffering and health care costs associated with smoking.

While many expected a huge outcry from smokers who objected to the price increase, what happened after the tax went into effect in September was remarkable. The Maine Tobacco Helpline, a statewide telephone counseling service (supported by Tobacco Settlement funds), experienced a record number of calls from smokers wanting to quit. In fact, the service received more calls in a single day than they did in a week before the price hike! At first, some tried to “spin” the tax increase story by looking for angry smokers. Sure, they found some, but the real story was and still is the record number of Maine people of all ages who are trying to quit as a result of the price hike.

There is solid evidence that significantly increasing the price of cigarettes is the single most effective step that can be taken to reduce tobacco use in the entire population and especially among youth. We have seen this demonstrated already in Maine where tobacco price increases as part of a comprehensive tobacco prevention and treatment program has led to a 50% decline in youth smoking rates since 1997. We are also beginning to see evidence that adult smoking rates are declining. We have also witnessed a decline over the past 20 years in the number of packs of cigarettes sold per person in Maine from 128 per year to 72 last year.

Why is this assault on tobacco use so important to our mission? There is no greater threat to lung health than tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. It is that simple. Smoking is the major cause of lung disease including lung cancer. While it is important for us to continue research aimed at detecting lung diseases earlier and improving the treatment of lung disease, our mission is focused on preventing lung disease.

So with your help we will continue to make progress in this battle against tobacco use. We have made great progress but we still have miles to travel. A quarter of our high school student still graduate as smokers, a high number of young adults continue to smoke and slightly less than a quarter of all Maine adults consider themselves as smokers. But this year’s tobacco tax will clearly reduce these numbers, prevent suffering and disability from tobacco related diseases and save thousands of lives.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our organization and our mission, “to lead in lung health promotion and lung disease prevention for Maine.”

Sincerely yours,

Edward F. Miller
Chief Executive Officer