I have chosen to FIGHT BACK against tobacco! 

This past week I renewed my membership with ACS CAN and e-mailed letters to my congressmen asking them to pass the FDA Regulation of Tobacco Products legislation.

Last night at the Merced Relay For Life^® Team Captain's Kickoff I presented a Fight Back Moment.  The activity is called "Straw Breathing".  I passed out straws and asked everyone to breathe through the straws while I continued to talk.  As a precaution, they were instructed to remove the straw at any point if they began to feel dizzy or light headed.  I began reading tobacco facts found on the American Cancer Society website, www.Cancer.org.  I also included local statistics.  Information in the form of pamplets was provided on a back table.  I concluded with a call to action.  If they smoke, they were asked to give it up for a day.  If unable to quit for the day, they were asked to smoke one less cigarette.  Those who do not smoke were asked to encourage a family or friend who smokes to quit or smoke one less cigarette.

I too have taken up the call to action.  I called the mother of my nieces and nephew.  She had told her daughter she would give up smoking when she turned 30.  That lasted less than a month.  I asked her to give it up for the day and she said she could not.  We agreed she would smoke one less cigarette today.  I will provide her with tobacco related information including a hotline to help her quit if she chooses to do so.  She has my full support.

Today is the Great American Smokeout^®.  Take up the challenge and FIGHT BACK!