For almost a generation, the Maine Coalition on Smoking or Health has worked to create a healthier, tobacco-free Maine for all citizens.
1985-Worked to help pass the Workplace Smoking Act, protecting workers from secondhand smoke.
1993-Successfully fought for a statewide law that protects people from secondhand smoke in most indoor public places.
1995-Helped pass legislation to tighten youth access laws and establish a comprehensive system for licensing of tobacco retailers that includes suspension and/or revocation of licenses.
1997-Advocated for increasing the cigarette excise tax to 74 cents and fought to create and fund the Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine (PTM), Maine's comprehensive tobacco prevention, treatment and control program.
1999-Successfully worked with lawmakers to make restaurants in Maine smoke-free and advocated for legislation that prohibits the use of self-service displays of single pack tobacco products in retail establishments. Also worked with lawmakers and other health advocates to ensure that tobacco settlement money would be used only for health-related purposed thought the "Fund for a Healthy Maine."
2001-Fought to increase the cigarette excise tax to $1.00.
2003-Led the effort to make Maine's bars and pool halls smoke-free and helped gain passage of legislation prohibiting smoking in most bingo and beano games. Also supported legislation to tightly regulate the delivery sales of tobacco--including sales over the Internet--in order to prevent sales to minor and tobacco tax avoidance.
2004-Worked to ban the same of nicotine water and supported legislation to protect children in foster care from secondhand smoke.
2005-Worked to increase the cigarette tax to $2.00 and close most remaining loopholes in the laws that govern smoking in the workplace and in public places. Also pushed legislation to impose age and supervision restrictions for retail sales clerks who sell tobacco products.
2007-Led the effort to ban flavored cigarettes and cigars. Further tightened public place smoking restrictions--including a ban on hookah bars. In addition, the Coalition successfully worked to ban tobacco use, as well as the advertisement of soda and junk food on school grounds.
2008-Worked to prohibit smoking in vehicles with minors.
