ASH > Action on Smoking & Health » FAQs http://ash.org Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:22:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 WNTD: The Nightmare Epidemic Created by Tobacco Marketing http://ash.org/the-nightmare-epidemic-created-by-tobacco-marketing/ http://ash.org/the-nightmare-epidemic-created-by-tobacco-marketing/#comments Fri, 31 May 2013 18:48:56 +0000 ash http://ash.org/?p=2419 ... Read the full article >]]>

 

Tobacco is a Deadly Product

-         Tobacco kills up to half of its users.

-         Tobacco kills nearly 6 million people each year, of whom more than 5 million are from direct tobacco use and more than 600 000 are nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless urgent action is taken, the annual death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030.

-         Tobacco caused 100 million deaths in the 20th century. If current trends continue, it may cause about one billion deaths in the 21st century.

-         There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke.

-         In adults, second-hand smoke causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer. In infants, it causes sudden death. In pregnant women, it causes low birth weight.

 

The World Lacks Protection from Tobacco

-         Under 11% of the world’s population are protected by comprehensive national smoke-free laws.

-         National comprehensive health-care services supporting cessation are available in only 19 countries, representing 14% of the world’s population.

-         Just 19 countries, representing 15% of the world’s population, meet the best practice for pictorial warnings, which includes the warnings in the local language and cover an average of at least half of the front and back of cigarette packs. No low-income country meets this best-practice level. Forty-two countries, representing 42% of the world’s population, mandate pictorial warnings.

-         Only 19 countries, representing 6% of the world’s population, have reached the highest level of achievement in banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

-         Around 38% of countries have minimal or no restrictions at all on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

-         Only 27 countries, representing less than 8% of the world’s population, have tobacco tax rates greater than 75% of the retail price.

-         Tobacco tax revenues are on average 154 times higher than spending on tobacco control, based on available data.

 

The Tobacco Epidemic is Widespread

-         Nearly 80% of the world’s one billion smokers live in low- and middle-income countries.

-         Consumption of tobacco products is increasing globally, though it is decreasing in some high-income and upper middle-income countries.

 

THERE IS A SOLUTION!

Implement the WHO Framework Convention Alliance: 

 

MORE INFORMATION:

- Why ban tobacco advertisements?

- Best Practices for Banning Tobacco Marketing

]]> http://ash.org/the-nightmare-epidemic-created-by-tobacco-marketing/feed/ 0 What does ASH do? http://ash.org/what-does-ash-do/ http://ash.org/what-does-ash-do/#comments Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:33:20 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=428 ... Read the full article >]]> ASH works to end the global disease, damage and death caused by tobacco. We accomplish this by educating the public and decision makers, tracking tobacco industry actions, and working for strong public policies at the local, national and global levels. ASH works closely with its allies to ensure that the public health community addresses the tobacco epidemic in a unified and coherent manner. ASH is not anti-smoker – we are anti-tobacco.

]]> http://ash.org/what-does-ash-do/feed/ 0 Why did ASH update its mission? http://ash.org/why-did-ash-update-its-mission/ http://ash.org/why-did-ash-update-its-mission/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2012 02:35:05 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=438 ... Read the full article >]]> As the U.S. and other western countries took action against tobacco, the industry went global to continue making money off of the misery of its consumers. In order to counter this disease’s vector – the tobacco industry – ASH decided to take the fight global as well. There is much left to do both at home and abroad. By allying with friends around the world, we give the industry nowhere to hide.

Events overseas profoundly impact our efforts here at home. Billions of dollars earned overseas are brought back to the U.S. and used to finance friendly political races, run massive media campaigns to block progress and hire armies of lobbyists. The increasing rights given to corporations in international trade agreements threaten to undo regulations at the local, state and national level.

]]> http://ash.org/why-did-ash-update-its-mission/feed/ 0 What does ASH do in my state/county/community? http://ash.org/what-does-ash-do-in-my-statecountycommunity/ http://ash.org/what-does-ash-do-in-my-statecountycommunity/#comments Sun, 05 Aug 2012 02:42:51 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=453 ... Read the full article >]]> ASH works with a network of allies in the United States to continue progress in fighting tobacco here at home. Often, we can bring fresh expertise and evidence to bear from progressive efforts in foreign countries. ASH also fights tobacco industry efforts to roll back local progress through litigation, especially trade agreements, and exposes Big Tobacco’s efforts to subvert the political system through lobbying, media campaigns and political donations.

]]> http://ash.org/what-does-ash-do-in-my-statecountycommunity/feed/ 0 Does ASH provide legal services? http://ash.org/does-ash-provide-legal-services/ http://ash.org/does-ash-provide-legal-services/#comments Sat, 04 Aug 2012 02:45:13 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=457 ASH does not have the resources to provide individualized legal services. We are a member of the Tobacco Control Legal Consortium, which can often point individuals to legal help in their community or point them to class action lawsuits.

]]> http://ash.org/does-ash-provide-legal-services/feed/ 0 How do I schedule an interview with someone at ASH? http://ash.org/how-do-i-schedule-an-interview-with-someone-at-ash/ http://ash.org/how-do-i-schedule-an-interview-with-someone-at-ash/#comments Fri, 03 Aug 2012 02:47:13 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=459 Journalists should contact media@ash.org.

]]> http://ash.org/how-do-i-schedule-an-interview-with-someone-at-ash/feed/ 0 How do I renew my annual membership? http://ash.org/how-do-i-renew-my-annual-membership/ http://ash.org/how-do-i-renew-my-annual-membership/#comments Thu, 02 Aug 2012 02:47:52 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=461 ... Read the full article >]]> There are several ways you can renew your annual membership to ASH.

  • Online: visit www.ash.org and make your donation with your credit card by clicking on the Donate Now button.

 

  • Mail:  Submit your donation to:

Action on Smoking and Health
Attention: Member Services
701 4th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

  • Email or Phone: Please email member services at membership@ash.org or call us between the hours of 9am-5pm EST at (202) 659-4310 and we will be happy to process you credit card over the phone.

 

 

 

 

]]> http://ash.org/how-do-i-renew-my-annual-membership/feed/ 0 Who should I contact with changes to my personal information/membership/problems/etc? http://ash.org/who-should-i-contact-with-changes-to-my-personal-informationmembershipproblemsetc/ http://ash.org/who-should-i-contact-with-changes-to-my-personal-informationmembershipproblemsetc/#comments Tue, 31 Jul 2012 02:51:11 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=465 If you have any questions about your membership please contact the Member Services Department at membership@ash.org  or call us between the hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm EST at (202) 659-4310 and we will be happy to assist you.

]]> http://ash.org/who-should-i-contact-with-changes-to-my-personal-informationmembershipproblemsetc/feed/ 0 Why is there an international treaty on tobacco? Can’t it just be handled in each country? http://ash.org/why-is-there-an-international-treaty-on-tobacco-cant-it-just-be-handled-in-each-country/ http://ash.org/why-is-there-an-international-treaty-on-tobacco-cant-it-just-be-handled-in-each-country/#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:51:51 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=468 ... Read the full article >]]> The tobacco industry is extremely multinational, and has a history of playing one country off of another to dissuade governments from implementing strong tobacco controls. A treaty increases the political will of governments to do the right thing, and helps in legal defense when they are sued by industry or industry-dominated foreign governments. In addition, there are issues that are by nature cross-border – such as advertising, trade, environmental damage, poverty and development, smuggling, and organized crime – that can only be properly dealt with on a global level. Finally, by sharing information and learning from each other, governments can implement sound regulations that protect health.

]]> http://ash.org/why-is-there-an-international-treaty-on-tobacco-cant-it-just-be-handled-in-each-country/feed/ 0 What is ASH’s position on outdoor smoking, such as parks and beaches? http://ash.org/what-is-ashs-position-on-outdoor-smoking-such-as-parks-and-beaches/ http://ash.org/what-is-ashs-position-on-outdoor-smoking-such-as-parks-and-beaches/#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:52:40 +0000 shoestring http://ash.org/dev/?p=470 ... Read the full article >]]> There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke, and there is no legal right to smoke. ASH supports smoking bans wherever innocent bystanders will be impacted by secondhand smoke. In addition to the danger of inhaling smoke, cigarette butts are the leading single cause of litter in parks and beaches. Cigarette butts are filled with toxins that find there way into water supplies and ecosystems, and because they are made of plastic, are not biodegradable.

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