Tobacco use effects all Mississippians. Beyond the devestating health effects of tobacco use and secondhand smoke, tobacco use places a heavy burden on Mississippi taxpayers. The 2006 report of the U.S. Surgeon General concluded that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Our already stressed Medicaid system is spends $264 million in taxpayer funds each year to treat tobacco-related disease. To bring it to a personal level, that is $528 paid by each individual taxpayer in the state which goes specifically to treat illnesses brought about by tobacco use.
The Partnership is helping to relieve this burden to Medicaid and Mississippi taxpayers. The Partnership actively works with state and local elected officials, community leaders, and advocates in an effort to enact health-friendly policies. Such policies will improve the health of our state, and pocketbooks of our taxpayers.
Links
Communities for a Clean Bill of Health
Clean Indoor Air
Become An Advocate
Basic advocacy is easy: You don’t have to be an expert, you just need to care about an issue. And remember that your influence is greater than you think. Just bring whatever power you have to the table as both a taxpayer and a voter. Your only task is to be yourself: a citizen and a voter who want government policies to work for the most vulnerable as well as they do for the most powerful.
- Organize Supporters
- Friends, family members, co-workers, church attendees
- Mobilize and Take Action
Tips
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when talking with policymakers or other voters about an issue:
- Introduce Yourself
- Where you live
- Community
- City
- State
- Tell your personal story
- Tell them what you want them to support
- Practice!
Grassroots Activities
Here are a few ideas for things you can do at a grassroots level
- Door-to-door canvasses
- Information Distribution -shopping centers, grocery stores, festivals, churches, conferences, meetings
- Block parties
- Postcard campaigns
Communicating With Legislators
- Personal Visits - The best time to meet with your legislator one-on-one is before the session starts. Call the Capitol to set up an appointment during the session.
- Telephone Calls
- Call your legislator at home or use their direct line at the Capitol.
- In lieu of a direct call, leave a message with the Capitol’s switchboard
- Personal Letters/e-mails
- Know your legislator (some read emails, some do not)
- Keep it short and to the point
- Include facts, reference studies when appropriate
- Make sure your information is timely
- Form Letters or Postcards - These are only effective if there is an extremely large volume
