Prevention Voices
Weekly Bill Analysis Meetings
Policy Topics: Cannabis, Tobacco, Alcohol, Prevention, Infrastructure, and Youth Well-being.
These meetings are open to professionals in substance use prevention, public health, youth health, other related fields, and their trusted partners. Please do not post to Athena Forum as these meetings are not open to the public.
Thursdays, 2-3pm starting January 5th.
Resources:
Policy Education Opportunities
Washington Breathes is in the final stage of development of a commercial tobacco funding position statement. This will be an educational statement explaining the need for sustained and increased funding for prevention and cessation services as funding was not included in the Governor's budget. WA Breathes is hoping to be able to distribute the statement next week for sign-on by organizations and professionals. There will be a sign on letter that will lay out the need for ongoing tobacco prevention funds in the operating budget for DOH’s Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program.
Please connect with Washington Breathes Coalition if your organization is interested in signing on:
[email protected].
Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
Legislators hold public meetings at this time of year to preview the legislative session, explain their priorities, and answer questions. Commercial tobacco professionals can attend to provide information and ask questions that will help raise awareness about community concerns on smoking and vaping.
Providing information and asking a general question about the issue is education. See the slideset and resources below for reminders about the differences between education, advocacy, and lobbying.
The best way to find out about Town Halls: sign up for your legislators e-newsletter from their home page on leg.wa.gov.