Communicating Our Message: We Know What Works Keep the promise – Tobacco money for tobacco prevention (It’s tobacco money, stupid!) Kids, Kids, Kids – Invest in programs to protect kids from tobacco company efforts to addict them. (Kids starting; tobacco companies spending) Tobacco prevention works – Proven solutions that protect kids, save lives and save money Tobacco prevention will save money and help solve state budget woes Tobacco prevention funding should reflect magnitude of the problem Make it real – kids, smokers quitting, community programs, jobs

Keep it simple: We know the problem – kids smoking, people dying, etc. We know the solution – programs work We have the money – settlement, tax, etc. The public wants it – polls demonstrate We just need the political will

Tobacco’s Devastating Toll Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death, killing more than 400,000 people each year 4,000 kids try their first cigarette every day; another 1,000 kids become regular smokers every day and 1/3 will die prematurely as a result Nearly 90% of lung cancer cases, 1/3 of total cancer deaths, and 1 in 5 deaths from heart disease are tobacco-related Costs the nation almost $100 billion in health care costs annually

Key Messages Develop clear, concise and compelling messages New BP affirm that we know what to do to eliminate tobacco use as a serious public health problem – all we need is the political will New BP reflect the fact that we have more experience and evidence than ever before New recommendations pale in comparison to tobacco industry spending on marketing, tobacco revenue states collect each year, and the health care costs caused by tobacco Spending levels are appropriate when you consider magnitude of tobacco problem Failing to invest what CDC recommends means more people will become addicted, more people will get sick and more people will die prematurely