1,000 kids kids become new, regular smokers every day? NEW HOPE TO STEM THE ADDICTION

Kudo's to the US Senate for passing new legislation on June 11, 2009 that will for the first time allow the FDA to strongly regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products.

According to Nancy Nielsen, M.D., American Medical Association (AMA) President,
“More than 400,000 Americans die needlessly every year as a direct result of tobacco use. The actions resulting from this landmark legislation may make people think twice before picking up a cigarette. The sad truth is that tobacco-related deaths are the number one preventable cause of death in the U.S. "

"Approximately 1,000 kids become new, regular smokers every day. These new marketing restrictions can help keep our kids away from cigarettes so they can become healthy adults.”

How HOPEFUL that the federal government and President Obama are willing to take hard stands against the expensive costs of nicotine addiction and the needless loss of human lives.
Let's face it, if we had 400,000 war-related deaths each year, it would be considered ultimate tragedy and insanity. Why should we as a society be any less appalled by the vast number of illnesses, diseases and death from cigarettes? It's all in the "marketing." Tobacco companies have sold our youth and society with commercials, billboards and packaging that make cigarettes look glamorous, relaxing, calming, empowering -- and, at long last, there will be some powerful regulation to reduce the attraction and availability - especially to youth.

Thousands of teens have been startled when told during my LEGACY OF HOPE® assemblies that the primary cause of male impotence by 40 yrs of age is ... cigarettes. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Teen males squirm, and teen girls giggle - none the less, it makes it clear that cigarettes are a poison to the human body and have the power to take untold pleasures of life away!

“Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act” - very good act to follow!

2009 Newsletters

November, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/Nov_2009.htm
* Helping Your Preteen Cope with Feeling Left Out
* Alcohol the Real Date-Rape Drug, Study Says
* TEXT SPEAK - Affecting Teen Communication Skills
* Celebrating Fall Colors with You!

October, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/Oct_2009.htm
* 2009 National School Survey Finds Small but Significant Increases in
* Adolescent Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Use
* Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Creates new line of Nonalcoholic Virgin Drinks
* Should Drugs Be Legalized? Many Critical of Drug War...
* New Help for Parents to Raise Drug-Free Kids
* Teenage Parties - Parent Guide

September, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/Sept_2009.htm
* Most People Overestimate Their Self-Control.
* One in Five Teens Share Their Prescription Drugs with Friends.
* American Psychological Association (APA) says WE ARE STRESSED.
* Mental Health and Help for Children.
* JOIN Susie on FACEBOOK.
* Teens say: It's not about Drinking... It's about Getting DRUNK
* LEGACY OF HOPE® - School Assembly Program

August, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/August_2009.htm
Harry Power Drunk! See what parents are saying . . .
* New Resource Shows Parents Where To Look For Drugs In Their Homes
* De-Stress for Success® System is HERE!
* Alcoholism Among Pre-Teens Often Unnoticed, Untreated

June, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/June_2009.htm
* KEEP YOUTH SAFE DURING PROM AND GRAD SEASON
* TEEN TALK - Great new website on Teen Pregnancy for Teens and Parents
* PROMOTE PREVENTION - How you can Help
* JOIN Susie on FACEBOOK - for fun and for free!

May, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/May_2009.htm
* GET TESTED FOR STD'S
* THC IN MARIJUANA Tops 10 Percent
* HELP NOW! SAVE "Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities" Funding *
* JOIN Susie on FACEBOOK!

April, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/April_2009.htm
* Test to see if Your Drinking is Risky!
* GIRLS LIFE Magazine - Pharmaceutical Drug Abuse by Teens
* Deal with Teen STRESS!
* Mental health and Substance Abuse During Tough Times

March, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/Mar_2009.htm
* Pot Linked to Testicular Cancer
* Liquor Ads Return to Prime Time
* Teens and Adults Choose Same Brand of Cigarettes
* New Drug Czar - Gil Kerlikowske

February, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/feb_2009.htm
* EMPLOYERS: About young adult employee alcohol and substance abuse
* PARENTS: Ritalin Causes Brain Changes Similar to Cocaine
* PHYSICIANS: 1.7 Million Emergency Room Visits are Drug Related
* SCHOOLS: Heads Up on a Great Alcohol and Drug Awareness Resource
* COLLEGE STUDENTS: Speak Up on the drinking age 18 or 21
* COLLEGE STUDENTS: What Research Says about lowering the drinking age to 18

January, 2009 - http://www.legacyofhope.com/Jan_2009.htm
* Trend 2009: Video Game and Internet Addiction
* Trend 2009: Heard of i-doser.com??
* Trend 2009: Address the Stress: Workbook and Workshop from LEGACY
* Trend 2009: WEIGHT UP in College: Beware the FRESHMAN 15!

2008 Newsletters

November, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/Nov_2008.htm
• Alcohol Use Among Hispanic Youth
• The Choking Game - New Deadly High
• Steroid Use and How to Test Your Kids
• Parents' Alcoholism - One Teen's Story (from Al-Anon/Alateen)

October, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/Oct_2008.htm
• Alcohol Pouches Appeal to Teens
• Energy Drinks linked to Teenage Risky Behavior
• Negative Childhood Experiences Precipitate Earlier Drinking
• Prescription Drug Use on the Rise – A National Concern
• Mouthwash to Get High

September, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/Sept_2008.htm
• How Clothing Fits in Adolescence
• Teens and Stress: What 93% of Parents Do NOT Know
• ANNOUNCING NEW STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKBOOK from LEGACY!

August, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/Aug_2008.htm
• Hip Hop Culture: More than Meets the Eye
• Hipster Subculture: Cooler than the Cool Kids?
• Nerd Revolution
• Jock Image - Rethinking
• Mom’s are Cliquing, too?

June/July, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/July_2008.htm
• Childhood Obesity: How America's Children Packed on the Pounds
• Help My Overweight Child
• Body Image: Men and Boys Lack Treatment Options
• Young Girls and Body Image: When Mothers Stop Being Role Models
• A Toolkit for Healthy Girls and Strong Women

May, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/May_2008.htm
• Observations from the Road - Susie Vanderlip
• Current Drug Trends in America's Youth
• Parenting/Grandparenting Tools
• Girls Most Frequent Abuser of Prescription Drugs
• Prevent Prescription Medicine Abuse
• Help School Nurses Address Rx Abuse
• Group Therapy Works for Youngest Addicts/Teens

April, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/April_2008.htm
• 21 Minimum Drinking Age Effectiveness
• Alcohol Ed and Drivers Ed Together
• Parents Driving Drunk with Children in Car
• Training for Alcohol Servers

March, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/Mar_2008.htm
• Technology and Its Impact on How Teens are Communicating
• Internet Addiction Among Teens
• Put Their Phones Down?
• About Myspace! for Parents
• Internet Safety Tips for You and Your Kids

February, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/feb_2008.htm
• What is Anxiety?
• Anxiety Disorders
• Worry Sucks the Life out of Teens: Commentary by Susie Vanderlip
• Teens Worry About...
• Relieving Your Teen's Worries

January, 2008 http://www.legacyofhope.com/January_2008.htm
• Definition of Gossip
• Relational Aggression
• Queen Bees: Girls as Gossip Ringleaders
• Men vs. Women- Gossip Findings
• Defending Ourselves Against Gossip
• Gossip in the Workplace