Minutes

September 15, 1999

Present: From the Committee Task Force: Chair Rep. Ann Seibert, Rep. Karen Kitzmiller Sen. Elizabeth Ready, Attorney Gen. William Sorrell, Commissioner Jan Carney, Julie Brill, Brian Flynn, Philene Taormina, Kay Perkins, Doug Dows and Claudia Bristow (Legislative Council); From the Watts Group: Richard Watts, Susan Minter, and George Bellerose

Commissioner Carney distributed a list of funding allocations recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Richard Watts updated the committee on various steps taken since the last meeting in preparation for the public forums: a Tobacco Task Force website (www.leg.state.vt.us\tobacco) has been created and the media outreach mailing will go out September 16, 1999. Mr. Watts distributed a list of stakeholder groups and media contacts by county. Prior to the forums, members will call reporters and editors to make sure that they are aware forums are taking place, to see if the station or paper will publish inf ormation about the forums in advance of the hearings, and encourage the media to cover forums in their areas. There was discussion about having members write Op-ed pieces and various members agreed to appear on radio and TV talk shows and to meet with editorial boards.

On motion if Mr. Sorrell, the committee agreed to Mr. Watts' proposal to spend up to $4,000 for media saturation effort targeted at youth and for paid radio ads (on Triple X) forum areas. Mr. Watts is to have discretion with regard to allocation of these funds which will come from the legislative appropriation.

There was a suggestion that a Youth Forum be held in Chittenden county. It was decided, however, that there was only time for one Youth Forum and it will be held in a school in Windsor County during the school day, as previously decided.

Susan Minter presented a draft outline of forum components and activities. Considerable discussion followed concerning the sources being tapped for the facilitators and the most effective way of concluding the forum.

The committee received a request to testify from Philip Morris. They agreed to meet on Monday, September 27, 1999 in Room 11 for this purpose.

Commissioner Carney informed the committee that approximately 2800 people responded to the Health Department survey to determine the importance of and prioritize the various elements of the tobacco control program (using the CDC elements). The results are being tabulated, but due to the larger than expected response it may take a while.

George Bellerose discussed his draft report outline. There was general discussion and the consensus seemed to be that the draft contained the appropriate elements. Members will e-mail their concerns/ideas to him.

The committee began a discussion of how the Health Department could work collaboratively with a free-standing Tobacco Board.

The final discussion involved preliminary thinking on how to measure the effectiveness (success) of tobacco fund programs and activities. Evaluation guidelines distributed by Brian Flynn served as the basis for this discussion.