[C-U Smokefree] Things YOU can do to help

[Scott P Hays]

Hi to all who yearn to breathe free!

There are several upcoming events/volunteer opportunities that we need YOU to attend and/or help out with.

One KEY immediate strategy to win smokefree public places in Champaign (and thus Urbana, too) is to get MATT VARBLE elected to the Champaign District 3 seat on April 5.  This is a key seat in Champaign, and a key opportunity to replace a smokefree opponent (Vic McIntosh) with a strong smokefree supporter!

To help Matt, first check out his website through ours, then:

1. Write a supportive letter to the News-Gazette
2. Request a Yard sign from Matt if you live within District 3 (or just ask me).
3. Help us canvass the district (and you don't have to live in it for that!) - we've prepared a walk-list of Champaign District 3 smokefree supporters.  We can canvass anytime, and will be focusing on the weekend before the election.  Contact me for more information.

The League of Women Voters is hosting a candidate forum on Monday, March 28.  We need to be there since they field questions from the audience - and we want to make sure the candidates have to address smokefree public places.

In addition, the CU Smokefree Alliance is partnering with the CU Citizens for Peace and Justice to present a Neighborhood "meet the candidates" forum at the Douglas Center in Champaign on Thursday, March 31st.  We need to promote this event and have a strong turnout.  

The CU Smokefree Alliance, in cooperation with the CU Public Health District, will be airing a new television commercial designed to educate the community about second-hand smoke. This was a very exciting project for all involved, including youth from Franklin Middle School.  Look for the ad to run on four cable channels (Lifetime, Oxygen, BET, and HGTV - I think) from the last week in March through the first week in April.

The CU Smokefree Alliance is working with a youth program at Franklin Middle School called "Engaging Youth for Positive Change."  The youth are learning political advocacy skills in a local context - Champaign.  And they are advocating for the clean indoor air ordinance. They have been working on this since last September and will be co-hosting a Commmunity Forum with us tentatively set for April 28 inside the Champaign City Council Chambers.  This event will be televised! More details later.

Our next CU Smokefree regular will be Wednesday, March 30 (busy week!).  This time we are meeting at Civitas in downtown Urbana.  We hope to see you there.

We are now meeting informally weekly at the Blind Pig on Walnut in downtown Champaign (across from Radio Maria) at 5 on Tuesdays for a "smokefree happy hour."  We will be there to talk strategy and other smokefree issues - and just to socialize in a more informal setting.  It's a great atmosphere - and we're trying to get them to see how successful a smokefree policy can be.  We'll be there tomorrow from about 5-6 - but smokefree happy hour continues to 9!

And don't forget to continue to support Ned Kelly’s in their recent smokefree policy as well.  Operating Partner John Schmitt has been a key supporter.

Finally, Kathy Gary had a good interview with Channel 15 recently.  Look for it this Thursday night at 10.

C-U Smokefree!

Scott Hays
President
CU Smokefree Alliance
sphays at cu-smokefree.org
778-2645