CCBH Fall Luncheon a Huge Success!!!!

The Communities for a Clean Bill of Health held its annual fall luncheon on October 30 at the UMC Conference Center in Jackson. The keynote speaker, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids president Matthew Myers, gave a comprehensive presentation on why Mississippi should increase its cigarette tax by $1.00. Increasing the Cigarette Tax by $1.00 in Mississippi is a "WIN WIN WIN!" (Myers Presentation)

An audio link to MPB coverage of the luncheon: Listen

Individuals in the overflow crowd at the luncheon left with an enhanced confidence and more passion towards encouraging their constituents and those in their networks to support increasing the cigarette tax by $1.00. The Luncheon kicked off CCBH's efforts to raise the cigarette tax by $1.00 during the 2008 legislative session. The event was also an opportunity to thank the advocates, healthcare professionals, supporters, and legislators whom have worked diligently to increase the cigarette tax by $1.00 in Mississippi over the past year.

An increase of the cigarette tax by $1.00 would result in:

· $165.3 million in new tobacco tax revenues
· $9 million in 5-year savings from reducing smoking during pregnancy
· $13.7 million in 5-year savings from reduced heart attacks and strokes
· $957.8 million in long-term healthcare savings from smokers averted

Other guest speakers included Oleta Fitzgerald, Children's Defense Fund and former Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore.