Letter: More Funding Needed For Tobacco Control

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Letter: More Funding Needed For Tobacco Control

Friday, 08 June 2012 00:00

The American Lung Association joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in celebrating World No Tobacco Day on May 31. This year’s theme, Tobacco Industry Interference, focused on the need to expose and counter the industry’s increasingly aggressive attempts to undermine global tobacco control efforts.

What we’re seeing in New York, and throughout the country, is the point of sale product display marketing that is cleverly designed to appeal to children. On World No Tobacco Day, attention was drawn to the fact that when these tobacco displays are placed prominently at checkout counters next to candy and gum and outside of stores at kids’ eye level, it encourages them to smoke.

In New York alone, big tobacco spends over $1 million on marketing their deadly products each day. Meanwhile, states are failing to adequately invest in proven policies and programs to counteract this rampant tobacco marketing. About 3,000 American teenagers start smoking every day, roughly one million new teenage smokers annually; a third of those who will ultimately die from their addiction. More than 25,000 New Yorkers die each year as a result of smoking.

In the Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control report, released this year, New York State failed for tobacco prevention funding, spending only 20 percent of the CDC’s recommended level. Visit www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org for more on New York’s grades, and to see what you can do.

Jeff Seyler, president and CEO
American Lung Association of the Northeast

News

BOE Nixes Contract With Search Firm

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

In what is hoped to be a step forward for the Westbury School District’s ongoing search for a superintendent, the board of education voted to terminate its contract with search firm Hazard, Young, Attea. However, questions still remain. Will the board continue the search with another firm? Will the board conduct the search themselves? Will it consider current Interim Superintendent Mary Lagnado for the position? And of course, how long will the process take before a permanent superintendent is named?

Avanti Granted Permit

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

The Westbury Board of Trustees has decided to grant Avanti a special use cabaret permit for a probationary six months.

The club had its permit rescinded six weeks ago after being in violation of several conditions, including noise and not reporting police activity. It now is required to operate under stricter conditions, including revised operating hours (they can be open until1 a.m. Sunday to

Wednesday and until 2 am. Thursday to Saturday) and having to keep a log book of any police activity. Much of the debate over Avanti had to do with an advertisement that promoted an event of a sexual nature. Club owner Barry Ceriano insisted that nothing of such a nature happened at Avanti and he was unaware of the ads, however the mayor said that the advertisement itself was in violation of the club’s permit and that the owner was responsible for all events that went on in his club. In that strain, the new permit includes a condition that says “applicant shall be responsible for any and all activities or events occurring at the premises. In the event that the applicant uses or engages the service of a booking agent, event planner, promoter…applicant shall use a written contract…and shall remain responsible and liable for any and all violations of the permit.” The following condition also says “any advertisement…of any event at the Premises, that advertises or promotes an event that would be a violation of this Permit and conditions, is itself a violation.”

Sports

Frogs Eat Falcons

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Carle Place softball avenges semi-final loss to Locust Valley

Avenging the previous day’s loss and moving themselves one step closer to a possible county title, the Carle Place Frogs Softball team beat out the Locust Valley Falcons Wednesday, May 15 in a game two rematch for the Nassau County Class B Semi-Final, 12-3.

Okinawan Karate Celebrates 10 Years

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

Westbury Okinawan Karate recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary of coming to the Westbury Recreation Center. Since then, the dojo has trained 250 students, ages six and up, in the art of karate with the style of traditional Okinawan ShorinRyu Shidokan.

Founded by sensei John Power, the classes seek to instill the confidence and strength needed to obtain success in everyday life.

“A lot of kids are lacking confidence,” said Power. “We let them practice leadership in the class and this contributes to their confidence.