By | 21 Feb 2017

Alyssa Murray, Maine

I am in my senior year at Maine College of Art and am interested in a career in art therapy. I love living in Maine (even if I might complain about trudging through piles of snow on my way to class). However, day after day, I’m continuously surprised at the number of my classmates who smoke.

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Many tell me that they wish they didn’t start such a bad habit at such a young age, and regret their addiction. My mother is also a smoker who started smoking as a teenager and just can’t quit. She is now suffering from the consequences of her addiction. This is why I volunteer for the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is dedicated to fight the scourge of tobacco. So am I.

I started volunteering for the AHA when they needed someone to dress up as Ticker at a Go Red for Women press event. Then, this summer, I was able to submit testimony on a city ordinance that raised the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21 in Portland. The ordinance passed! Now, I hope to continue my efforts as the American Heart Association strives to pass this policy statewide. Oh, and I was able to reprise my role as Ticker again this year. Always fun.

I really hope that generations after me will either not start smoking at all, or, will be able to quit more easily due to more difficult access to tobacco. Raising the purchase age to 21 not only benefits smokers, but also helps people like me see friends and family take steps toward a healthier lifestyle. A healthy future for my friends and family is my “why.”

Advocate State - ME Maine

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Becky Smith published this page in Advocate Stories Archive Holder 2017-02-21 12:50:44 -0500

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(REV August 2016)

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For good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I hereby grant to the American Heart Association (“AHA”) and its successors and anyone authorized by it the following unrestricted rights and release, all of which may be exercised without geographical, time or other limitation: In regards to the submission of stories, video or digital recordings, whether of an audio or visual nature, and photographs (collectively “Submitted Material”) for use by the AHA, I hereby release the AHA from all liability, and make the following grants and representations in connection therewith:

(a) The right to record, photograph and/or otherwise use, produce, copyright, transmit by radio or television, use on internet, distribute, exhibit and, as applicable, exploit my likeness, voice, statements, acts, poses, plays and appearances, and all other effects resulting from my services rendered in providing the Submitted Material, it being understood that the rights granted may be exercised in any and all media whatsoever.

(b) All my right, title and interest in all negatives, tapes, transparencies, prints and reproductions of the Submitted Material, including all copyrights, the right to copyright the Submitted Material anywhere in the world and the right to obtain renewals thereof and the right to use, sell, lease or license any of the foregoing, it being understood that AHA shall have the right to cut, edit, alter, interpolate, repurpose and otherwise change the story and to divide the same into as many parts as they desire wherein each part or combination of parts of the presentation may be used alone or together.

(c) I represent and warrant that the information provided to the AHA is a true and accurate account, is original, does not infringe on another’s copyright or other proprietary rights, is not defamatory and that I have full right and authority to disclose and convey the Story or provide the Photograph(s) and/or video recording to the AHA.

(d) I hereby waive all reuse fees or such other fees which might be applicable to the above stated grant and release.

(e) I hereby release, discharge and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the AHA from any liability or injury that may arise from the conveyances and/or permissions in this agreement.

I represent and warrant that I am of legal age and have the right to enter into the aforementioned agreement of release.