Every year the Northland Coalition adopts legislative priorities. Please contact Vicky Ward for additional talking points or information concerning the Northland Coalition’s position on the following priorities. vickyw@tri-countymhs.org or 816-877-0411
Our 2012 State Legislative Priorities
- Banning the addition of caffeine to packaged alcohol beverages
Status Updates:Filed as House Bill 1306 by Rep. T.J. Berry of Clay County, which mirrors new FDA regulations banning caffeine from packaged alcohol beverages
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Talking Points:- Research indicates that individuals drinking alcoholic energy drinks (stimulants added to alcoholic beverages) have an inability to judge their level of intoxication because stimulants reduce the feeling of drunkeness, although not the overall level of impairment.
- The stimulant effect decreases natural “purging” that often comes with binge drinking, creating an enhanced probability of alcohol poisoning.
- The combination of a depressant and a stimulant can have a negative effect on the heart. Shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and heart attacks can result. For adolescents, high levels of caffeine are especially risky. Both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, and dehydration is a common side effect, weakening the body’s defense mechanisms.
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- Look for state laws to circumvent dispensaries should the ballot initiative supporting Medical or Legal Marijuana pass in Missouri
Status Updates: NORML and Show-Me Cannabis are collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would make marijuana LEGAL for all use (not just medical use) in Missouri.
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Talking Points:- Scientists have proven that Marijuana has 400 “unstable” chemicals” and four times more carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) than tobacco smoke.
- Marijuana is already a significant causal factor in highway crashes, injuries and deaths. In a recent national roadside survey of weekend nighttime drivers, 8.6% tested positive for marijuana or its metabolites, nearly four times the percentage of drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above.
- No “legitimate” medical associations endorses marijuana for medicinal purposes
- Medications are tested and regulated through FDA, not voted on by the public
- Marijuana is a harmful, addictive drug, and crude marijuana is not medicine
- Marijuana can attack the immune system and make sick people sicker.
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- Support Efforts to Pass a Statewide Clean Indoor Air Legislation
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Status Update: Filed as House Bill 1352 by Rep. Jill Schupp of St. Louis County. Repeals the Indoor Clean Air Act and establishes new laws regarding smoking in public places
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Talking Points:- Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mixture of more than 7,000 chemicals and compounds, of which hundreds are toxic and at least 70 cause cancer *
- There is no safe level of exposure to second hand smoke *
- Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of death and disease for both men and women *
*– US Dept. of Health and Human Service, Report of the Surgeon General 2011
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- Establish a Prescription Drug Monitoring System Between Pharmacies
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Status Updates:Filed as House Bill 1193 by Dr. Keith Frederick of Phelps County.
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Talking Points:- Missouri is one of only 3 states that do not have a monitoring system to collect data from pharmacies to prevent drug abuse and overdoses.
- This system would identify emerging prescription diversion and abuse trends, and identify areas where prevention and intervention are needed.
Additional Supported Policies
- Banning those Under 21 from Bars and Nightclubs
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Status Update:While this bill has been filed in past years, there is currently no sponsor for this bill for the 2012 legislative session.
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Talking Points:- The Surgeon General has identified this as a primary causal factor to underage drinking.
- Once inside the establishment, there is an increased likelihood that minors will be able to obtain alcohol.
- Increase Tobacco Excise Tax
Status Updates: Filed as House Bill 1478 by Rep. Mary Still of Boone County. Increases the tax on tobacco products and the excise tax on cigarettes of $.17 per pack of 20 cigarettes to $.89 per pack for public education purposes.Talking Points:- Tobacco related health care concerns cost Missourians more than $4.6 billion annually.
- Missouri ranks the LOWEST in tobacco taxes collected, at 17 cents per pack compared to a national average of $1.38 per pack.
- Together, increasing alcohol and tobacco taxes would generate almost $225 million dollars in new money for our state.
- Further social costs could be reduced by investing those new dollars into prevention. Research indicates that for every dollar invested in prevention, we would then save $12 in treatment and crime costs – another savings of $2.7 BILLION dollars!
- Place restrictions on alcohol in the State Capitol and on Capitol Grounds
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Status Update: Had been filed for the last 15 years, with the exception of 2011 and 2012.
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Talking Points:- Other state buildings (employees) are not allowed alcohol- and there are NO other known states that allow alcohol in their capitol unless for “special occasions.”
- Elected officials should act as role models (as students visit the capitol daily).
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- Increase Alcohol Excise Tax
Status Update: Not currently filed.
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Talking Points:- Missouri ranks the LOWEST for beer taxes (6 cents per gal. compared to the national average of 26 cents). If the tax had kept up with inflation, instead of 6 cents per gallon it would be 32 cents per gallon.
- The last time our beer excise tax changed was in 1971, and has lost 81% of its value.
- An increase of 20 cents per gallon, which is less than 2 cents per can of beer, would generate almost $29 million in new money for our state.
- Binge drinking is significantly higher in states having lower than national median tax rates.
- Annual alcohol related health care costs in Missouri exceed $794,000,000.00 while the alcohol taxes only collect $30,000,000 in Missouri.
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