2010 Policy Priorities

NC Alliance for Health 2010 Policy Priorities
Approved by Alliance membership 3/1/2010

Tobacco-Use Prevention Policy Priorities: 

• Protect public health by eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke:
  •        Protect existing law (HB 2) which made restaurants and bars smoke-free on January 2, 2010 
  •        Expand existing smoke-free law by advocating for legislation to make all NC worksites and public places 100% smoke-       free, in combination with;
  •        Advocate for legislation that expands local control so local communities can pass ordinances to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke in worksites (in addition to public places granted by HB 2
• Support an increase in North Carolina’s cigarette excise tax BY at least $1.00 and support an excise tax increase on other tobacco (non-cigarette) products to a tax rate equivalent with that of cigarettes; 

Click here to sign the Resolution in Support of an Increase in NC's Cigarette Tax by $1.00
 

• Support reinstituting North Carolina’s cigarette tax stamp to promote health, safety, crime prevention efforts and increased state revenue.

 

• Support funding for evidence-based tobacco use prevention and cessation programs.

 

Obesity Prevention Policy Priorities:

 

• Physical Activity/Physical Education:
  • Promote the implementation of quality, comprehensive Physical Education statewide.
    • Implement mandatory health assessment data for students in all public schools (Fitness Gram).
    • Promote the passage of HB 901, PE and Health Honors Courses.

Click here to sign the Resolution in Support of Quality Physical Education

 

• Nutrition:
  • Implement and fully fund Child Nutrition Standards K-12;
  • Ensure all foods and beverages available in schools are healthy;
  • Support menu labeling for Legislative Building cafeteria and/or snack bar;

Click here to sign the Resolution in Support of Nutrition Standards

 

• Built Environments:
  • Promote the ability of local communities to support routine physical activity and healthy eating through built environment supports, including multi-modal transportation infrastructure (eg. mass transit, sidewalks, bike lanes), recreation opportunities (eg. parks, trails greenways), and food venues (eg. grocery stores, farmers' markets, community gardens). Support the integration of healthy land use (“sustainable communities”) and multi-modal transportation options (“complete streets” policies).

 

• Support funding for evidence-based obesity prevention programs.

 

Other items presented to the Alliance for endorsement will be handled on a case-by-case basis by either the appropriate policy committee or the Executive Committee depending on the urgency.

Click here to download the NC Alliance for Health 2010 Policy Priorities 

Click here to download the 2009 Session Summary document