By Liz Waggoner | 11 Aug 2017

We Will Keep Fighting to Save Lives, Oklahoma!

Hello, Oklahoma! This past legislative session you fought with us to pass a $1.50 per pack cigarette fee in Oklahoma, and we won! We regret to share with you that the Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled lawmakers failed to follow constitutional requirements for revenue-raising measures and tax increases when they passed Senate Bill 845 creating the cigarette fee last session. The $1.50 per pack cigarette fee will NOT be implemented at this time.

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We are very concerned that the tobacco industry has once again reached into their deep pockets to thwart policies designed to reduce the use of cigarettes and save the lives of Oklahomans. The fact that the tobacco industry is challenged Senate Bill 845 in state court should come as no surprise. In the 2016 election cycle, tobacco companies spent more than $100 million in four states with proposed tobacco tax increases on the ballot. In 2004, they spent $1.5 million in Oklahoma to defeat a 55-cent-per-pack increase.

Together, we advocated for a $1.50 per pack cigarette tax increase because cigarettes cloud Oklahoma’s economy with costly burdens: an estimated $1.62 billion in direct medical costs and $2.1 billion in lost productivity annually. A $1.50-per-pack tax increase would generate more than $183 million in annual state revenue that will improve access to health care in Oklahoma and reduce the state’s budget deficit.

We will continue to keep you informed on this issue as a special session may be called to address the court's decision. We will keep fighting to save lives and are thankful you will be with us as a passionate AHA advocate!

Pulse State - OK

Showing 2 reactions

Nathan Thomas commented 2017-09-10 19:29:37 -0400
Thank you AHA for your continuous caring support.
Charde Ortiz published this page in The Pulse 2017-08-11 14:02:07 -0400

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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.

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