Wednesday, December 26, 2007

 

Funding to promote exaggerated secondhand smoke claims.....comes from a very dubious, self serving source

This self serving , dubious type of lobbying by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, an affiliate of the Johnson & Johnson / ALZA Company which manufactures Nicoderm & Nicoderm, is also known as rent seeking legislation.

Rent seeking refers to lobbying efforts by an entity to aquire a government mandate (use) of their products or services over a competitors, by using the force of government to achieve that end.

In this case Nicoderm manufacturer J & J /ALZA use their private foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), to convince lawmakers (lobbying via non-profits) that tobacco use needs to be banned at private hospitality establishments.......in an effort to increase sales of their alternative nicotine products.

However it is important to note that air quality testing of secondhand smoke proves the hazards are greatly exaggerated (SHS is actually up to 25,000 times safer than Occupational Safety regulations):

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2007/11/johns-hopkins-air-quality-testing-of.html

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2007/04/bmj-published-air-quality-test-results.html

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2004/04/american-cancer-society-test-results.html

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2006/02/air-quality-testing-and-secondhand.html

Sunday, December 23, 2007

 

Link to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grants used to lobby for laws against tobacco products (also known as rent seeking)

RWJF is affiliated with the Johnson & Johnson Company, whose subsidiary ALZA manufactures Nicoderm & Nicoderm CQ. RWJF and J & J's motives for eliminating the sales and use of tobacco products are less than forthcoming. One might editorialize that the true motive is to increase alternative nicotine product sales.

Currently, over the counter alternative nicotine product sales, such as Nicoderm & Nicoderm CQ, is a $500+ million annual business, which J & J and RWJF know will only increase after smoking bans are passed. As evidenced after Minnesota's smoking ban which increased demand for Nicoderm patches three-fold according to Blue Cross Blue Shield and Clearway MN.

Smoking-cessation category (US) sales*Information Resources Inc. (IRI) 52 weeks ended Oct. 2, 2005 (not including Wal-Mart data) Total smoking-cessation category in FDMX* ($494.8 million)

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-drug-industry-uses-non-profits-to.html

http://www.smokershistory.com/RWJgrant.html

RWJF Anti-Tobacco Grants

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funding of the anti-smoking movement, as of July 28, 2007, selected from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Public Health Active Grants List. The University of Illinois at Chicago has eight grants for a total of $12,645,576; The University of California - San Francisco $10,270,538 (consisting of $9,871,538 to Steven A. Schroeder, who is a former president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and $399,000 to Stanton Glantz); the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has four grants totalling $7,430,000; American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation five totalling $6,648,178; the University of Kentucky Research Foundation three totalling $5,170,791; the University of California - Los Angeles $1,899,999 ($1.8 million to Linda Sarna and the change to Michael Ong); the American Cancer Society has six grants which total $1,206,634; and the Tobacco Law Center in Minnesota has two grants totalling $1,156,255. The University of Michigan receives three grants totalling $11,367,260 for "Bridging the Gap: Research Informing Practice and Policy for Healthy Youth Behavior." Also, the Trust for America's Health, a vehicle of the politically-connected health establishment, receives two grants totalling $11,508,190 for the self-serving purpose of "Building sustainable advocacy capacity for improving the nation's health."

Active Grants - Public Health / The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Tobacco-specific grants

Effects of advertisement elements for a potential reduced tobacco exposure product on smokers' beliefs about its use and harmfulness Aug 2007 - Jul 2009 $100,000 To Andrew A. Strasser Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Providing assistance to state tobacco prevention and public health policy project Aug 2007 - Jul 2008 $1,500,000 To Peter Fisher at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Why youth don't quit: Finding answers to design effective smoking cessation programs Jul 2007 - Jun 2008 $176,780 To Gary A. Giovino M.S., Ph.D., Research Foundation of State University of New York

Legal and political obstacles to smoke-free regulations in metropolitan regions Jul 2007 - Dec 2008 $99,807 To Kerry Cork J.D., Tobacco Law Center, St. Paul, MN

Public education and public health training activities in support of RWJF's
Public Health interest area Jul 2007 - Jun 2008 $2,200,000 To Vince Willmore, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Helping Young Smokers Quit: Identifying Best Practices for Tobacco Cessation Jun 2007 - May 2009 $1,240,783 To Susan J. Curry Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health

Study on smoke-free campus policies in U.S. hospitals Jun 2007 - May 2008 $98,143 To Scott Williams Psy.D., Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

Educating key audiences about FDA regulation of tobacco products May 2007 - May 2008 $743,464 To William V. Corr, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Providing rapid response funding to enable communities and groups to support, protect or implement smoke-free policies May 2007 - Jun 2008 $1,000,000 To Cynthia D. Hallett M.P.H., American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Legal technical assistance to the tobacco control community May 2007 - Apr 2009 $1,056,448 To D. Douglas Blanke J.D., Tobacco Law Center, St. Paul, MN

Tobacco-free policy adoption for local school districts in order to promote policy passage across North Carolina Apr 2007 - Aug 2007 $29,469 To Adam O. Goldstein M.D., M.P.H., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Technical assistance and direction for Smoke-Free Families: Innovations to Stop Smoking During and Beyond Pregnancy Mar 2007 - Mar 2008 $222,000 To Robert L. Goldenberg M.D., Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation d/b/a Drexel College of Medicine

Analysis of the US Department of Justice's Racketeer Influences and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) lawsuit against the tobacco industry Mar 2007 - Sep 2007 $29,606 To Richard A. Daynard J.D., Ph.D., Public Health Advocacy Institute Inc., Boston MA

Pilot study for a new method of measuring cigarette tax evasion in the United States Mar 2007 - Feb 2008 $99,000 To David F. Merriman Ph.D., Loyola University-Chicago

Cigarette price sensitivity of smokers with comorbid alcohol, drug or mental disorders Mar 2007 - Feb 2008 $99,999 To Michael K. Ong M.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine

Effectiveness of state and federal government agreements with major credit card and shipping companies to block Internet cigarette sales Mar 2007 - Feb 2008 $99,990 To Kurt M. Ribisl Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health

Conference on disseminating novel approaches to understanding the consumer perspective on tobacco cessation Feb 2007 - Aug 2007 $46,440 To Todd M. Phillips M.S., Academy for Educational Development Inc., Washington DC

Supporting tobacco control policy priorities among northwestern tribes, including clean indoor air laws and higher taxes on cigarettes Feb 2007 - Jan 2008 $75,000 To Gerry Rainingbird M.S., Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

Legal support for public health plaintiff intervenors in appeal of the Department of Justice tobacco suit Feb 2007 - Jan 2008 $300,000 William V. Corr, Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund

Support for a public/private partnership to help American adults stop smoking Jan 2007 - Dec 2009 $720,000 To Amber Hardy-Thornton, American Legacy Foundation

Support for the Tobacco Etiology Research Network to analyze data from foundation-supported studies Jan 2007 - Dec 2009 $513,463 To Richard R. Clayton Ph.D., University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Improving the potential of U.S. quitlines to capitalize on tobacco policy control success Dec 2006 - Dec 2008 $399,925 To Linda A. Bailey J.D., M.H.S., North American Quitline Consortium

Building a grassroots campaign to support the introduction and passage of a smoke-free ordinance in Jackson, Mississippi Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $95,000 To Jennifer Myrick B.S., American Cancer Society, Inc., Mid-South Division, Inc.

Promoting clean indoor air in the greater Cleveland area Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $150,000 To Yvonne F. Oliver, Greater Cleveland Health Education and Service Council Inc.

Implementing a grassroots education and advocacy campaign to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $74,985 To Jorge Vanegas, Texas A&M Research Foundation

Supporting an ordinance to end smoking in bars and private clubs Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $69,855 To Wendy Hamilton, Juneau Affiliate Inc. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

Expanding tobacco policy control among the Nez Perce Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $66,974 To Joyce McFarland, Nez Perce Tribe, Lapwai, ID

Efforts to restrict tobacco sponsorship of rodeos Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $149,996 To Andrea Craig Dodge M.P.H., M.S.W., Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA

Review of barriers to consumer demand for and use of smoking cessation medications and dissemination of the findings for policy implications Dec 2006 - Oct 2007 $29,833 To Jonathan Foulds Ph.D., Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Madison, WI [probably a front for Michael Fiore].

Developing and strengthening a clean indoor air policy for the Northern Plains Tribes Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $75,000 To Favian E. Kennedy M.S.W., Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board, Aberdeen, SD

Building grassroots support for an increased tobacco tax to fund tobacco cessation programs and expand health coverage for low-income Floridians Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $75,000 Lisa Margulis M.S.W., Human Services Coalition of Dade County, Inc.

Supporting smoke-free indoor workplace and public place ordinances in South Carolina Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $81,000 To Dianne Wilson, South Carolina African American Tobacco Control Network

Implementing and enforcing a commercial tobacco-free ordinance among a Native American tribe Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $75,000 To Nicole Toves, Fort Peck Tribes, Poplar, MT

Promoting policies to deter the tobacco industry from targeting minority youth Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $75,000 Corrina Freedman B.A., American Lung Association of the City of New York Inc.

Colorado Youth Access Project Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $102,409 To Kimberly Hills, Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance

Implementing a comprehensive tobacco-free policy for the Navajo nation Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $74,965 To Patricia Nez Henderson M.D., M.P.H., Black Hills Center for American Indian Health, Rapid City, SD

Developing and implementing a statewide tribal smoke-free advocacy campaign Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $99,939 To Sharon Day, Indigenous People Task Force, Minneapolis, MN

Eliminating smoking in rental housing units Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $74,901 To Tina H. Pettingill M.P.H., City of Portland, ME

Advocating for programs to reduce adult smoking and address disparities in treatment among low-income and mentally ill people in Vermont Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $85,000 To Kelly Stoddard, American Cancer Society Inc., New England Division, Inc.

Eliminating secondhand smoke exposure by supporting clean indoor air policies and the use Master Settlement funds for tobacco prevention and cessation Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $50,000 To Shelley Cooper-Ashford, Center for MultiCultural Health, Seattle, WA

Sustaining Medicaid smoking cessation benefits in Massachusetts Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $92,300 To Diane M. Pickles, American Cancer Society, Inc., New England Division, Inc.

Developing and conducting a smoke-free campaign in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $138,720 To Pam Bostick B.S., American Cancer Society, Inc., Mid-South Division, Inc.

Pursuing a public policy change to mandated coverage of smoking cessation services by Medicaid Dec 2006 - Dec 2007 $71,120 To Shannon Pratt, American Cancer Society, Inc., Mid-South Division, Inc.

Core support and infrastructure development for the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation Dec 2006 - Dec 2008 $3,000,000 To Cynthia D. Hallett M.P.H., American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Outreach and educational efforts for restaurants, bars, hotels and labor unions on the positive impact of clean indoor air policy Nov 2006 - Nov 2008 $480,280 To Paul H. McIntyre, Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke

Evaluation of the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act Nov 2006 - Oct 2007 $160,000 To Uta A. Vorbach M.P.H., State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services

Smoke-Free Families National Dissemination Office Sep 2006 - Aug 2008 $588,190 To Cathy L. Melvin Ph.D., M.P.H., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research (Smoke-Free Families)

Nonprofit administration of potential tobacco settlement funding for smoking cessation Jul 2006 - Dec 2007 $49,595 C. Charles Stokes M.Ed., National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Inc.

Providing rapid response funding to enable communities and groups to support, protect or implement smoke-free policies Jun 2006 - Dec 2007 $1,000,000 Cynthia D. Hallett M.P.H., American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Helping Young Smokers Quit: Identifying Best Practices for Tobacco Cessation Jun 2006 - Jul 2007 $918,770 To Susan J. Curry Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health

Expanding and enhancing the database system to track and report on tobacco-related laws Feb 2006 - Jan 2008 $148,178 To Cynthia D. Hallett M.P.H., American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Online database on state tobacco control policy, analysis of the data, trend tracking, communications, and technical assistance Jan 2006 - Dec 2008 $150,000 To Janice E. Nolan, American Lung Association

Continued tobacco research on young adults in college and the military and a working meeting on tobacco and socioeconomic status Dec 2005 - Dec 2008 $100,000 To Richard R. Clayton Ph.D., University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Dissemination activities for Partners with Tobacco Use Research Centers:
Advancing Transdisciplinary Science and Policy Studies Dec 2005 - Nov 2007 $100,000 Robin J. Mermelstein Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health

Study on smoker perceptions on reduced-risk cigarettes and counter-marketing efforts Dec 2005 - Nov 2007 $99,179 To James M. Nonnemaker Ph.D., Research Triangle Institute

Effect of tobacco control policy on tobacco use in alcohol and drug-dependent populations Nov 2005 - Oct 2007 $99,614 To Henry Saffer Ph.D., Kean University College of Business and Public Administration

Effects of flavored and natural cigarette claims on adolescents' perceptions and behavioral intentions Nov 2005 - Jul 2007 $99,904 To Kathleen J. Kelly Ph.D., Colorado State University College of Business

Secondary effects of the Madison, Wisconsin, smoke-free ordinance Oct 2005 - Dec 2007 $99,988 To Amy Williamson B.A., M.P.P., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Measuring the public health impact of increased access to potential reduced exposure products for smokers Oct 2005 - Sep 2007 $61,119 To Joseph V. Terza Ph.D., University of Florida Institute for Child Health Policy

Effectiveness of cigarette taxation in deterring smoking from one pregnancy to the next Sep 2005 - Aug 2007 $36,331 To Jason Abrevaya Ph.D., Purdue University, Krannert School of Management

New evidence on smoking behavior: Comparing responses to experimental and real price increases Sep 2005 - Dec 2007 $99,123 To Matthew C. Farrelly Ph.D., Research Triangle Institute

Educational campaign for restaurant owners on smoke-free restaurants Aug 2005 - Nov 2007 $399,000 To Stanton A. Glantz Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Network to sustain and expand tobacco-related health care policy and systems change Aug 2005 - Jul 2008 $400,000 To Michael C. Fiore M.D., M.P.H., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Studying the impact of state tobacco control policies on heart disease mortality Feb 2005 - Jul 2007 $94,611 To Brett Loomis M.S., Research Triangle Institute

Helping Young Smokers Quit: Identifying Best Practices for Tobacco Cessation Feb 2005 - Jul 2008 $2,996,867 To Susan J. Curry Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health

Identifying facilitators and impediments to adopting US Public Health Service guidelines for smoking cessation treatment Dec 2004 - Nov 2007 $399,792 To Elizabeth M. Barbeau Sc.D., Dana Farber Cancer Institute Inc.

Enhancing and sustaining smoke-free environments Nov 2004 - Oct 2007 $1,500,000 To Cynthia D. Hallett M.P.H., American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Studying a pediatric office-based smoking cessation program Sep 2004 - Aug 2007 $250,000 To Helen J. Binns M.D., M.P.H., Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago IL

Evaluating the effects of tobacco control budget cuts on tobacco-related outcomes among Florida youth Sep 2004 - Oct 2007 $363,287 To Matthew C. Farrelly Ph.D., Research Triangle Institute

Studying the feasibility of brief smoking cessation counseling of parents in pediatric settings to reduce tobacco smoke exposure of young children Sep 2004 - Aug 2007 $250,000 To Jonathan D. Klein M.D., M.P.H., University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Testing the feasibility and efficacy of a tobacco control strategy for parents of newborns Sep 2004 - Dec 2007 $250,000 To Jonathan P. Winickoff M.D., M.P.H., General Hospital Corporation-Massachusetts General Hospital

Studying the relationship among sleep problems, mood, and postpartum smoking relapse Sep 2004 - Aug 2007 $199,996 To Julie Boergers Ph.D., Rhode Island Hospital

Technical assistance and direction for Partners with Tobacco Use Research Centers: Advancing Transdisciplinary Science and Policy Studies Aug 2004 - Jul 2007 $723,520 To Robin J. Mermelstein Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health

Studying the barriers to smoking cessation among mature smokers Mar 2004 - Aug 2007 $399,997 To Frank A. Sloan Ph.D., Duke University Center for Health Policy, Law and Management

Tobacco-free nurses: Helping nurses quit Aug 2003 - Jul 2007 $1,800,000 To Linda Sarna R.N., D.N.Sc., F.A.A.N., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing

Activities of the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center Feb 2003 - Jan 2010 $9,871,538 To Steven A. Schroeder M.D., University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine [Schroeder is a former president of RWJF].

Do national-level tobacco policies decrease smoking: A four-country tobacco policy study Aug 2002 - Jul 2007 $1,500,000 To K. Michael Cummings Ph.D., M.P.H., Health Research Incorporated

Research Network on the Etiology of Tobacco Dependence Oct 2001 - Jun 2008 $4,557,328 Richard R. Clayton Ph.D., University of Kentucky Research Foundation
General grants which likely include anti-smoker activities

Building sustainable advocacy capacity for improving the nation's health Aug 2007 - Jul 2010 $7,669,235 To Jeffrey W. Levi Ph.D., Trust for America's Health. [This enormous grant goes to the Trust for America's Health, which includes on its Advisory Board: Former Rep. John Edward Porter (R-IL), instrument of the Lasker health lobby; Carlessia A. Hussein, Director, Cigarette Restitution Fund Program, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; and former HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Philip R. Lee. Former Sen. Lowell Weicker Jr. (R-CT) and Margaret A. Hamburg are directors.]

State Health Leadership Initiative Jun 2007 - May 2010 $3,098,765 To Jason Alan Hohl, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

Building a consensus agenda on the use of law to protect and improve public health Feb 2007 - Feb 2008 $258,122 To Dan O'Brien J.D., Public Health Law Association

Examining state capacity to develop the 10 leading indicators defined in Healthy People 2010 overall and by geographic group Jan 2007 - Mar 2008 $199,135 To Marsha Gold Sc.D., Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Evaluation of the State Health Leadership Initiative Jan 2006 - Jul 2007 $149,825 To David Lazer Ph.D., Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government

Impact of the Turning Point Model State Public Health Act: A comprehensive assessment of changes in state public health laws Dec 2005 - Aug 2007 $198,541 Kristine M. Gebbie Dr.P.H., R.N., Columbia University School of Nursing

Turning Point Model State Public Health Act: An assessment of legislative and regulatory laws and policies Dec 2005 - Nov 2007 $125,000 To James G. Hodge J.D., L.L.M., Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health

Bridging the Gap: Research Informing Practice and Policy for Healthy Youth Behavior Nov 2005 - Oct 2008 $2,032,895 To Lloyd D. Johnston Ph.D., University of Michigan Institute for Social Research

Increasing the effectiveness of disease prevention and health promotion policies Oct 2005 - Sep 2007 $724,494 To John M. Clymer, Partnership for Prevention [a project of the American Cancer Society]

Building sustainable advocacy capacity for improving the nation's health Jun 2005 - Dec 2007 $3,838,995 To Jeffrey W. Levi Ph.D., Trust for America's Health

State Health Leadership Initiative Sep 2003 - Jul 2007 $3,000,000 To Kathleen M. Nolan M.P.H., National Governors Association Center for Best Practices

Bridging the Gap: Research Informing Practice and Policy for Healthy Youth Behavior Mar 2003 - Feb 2008 $6,665,636 To Frank J. Chaloupka Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago Health Research and Policy Centers

Bridging the Gap: Research Informing Practice and Policy for Healthy Youth Behavior Mar 2003 - Feb 2008 $2,334,365 To Lloyd D. Johnston Ph.D., University of Michigan Institute for Social Research

Bridging the Gap: Research Informing Practice and Policy for Healthy Youth Behavior Nov 1997 - Oct 2007 $7,000,000 To Lloyd D. Johnston Ph.D., University of Michigan Institute for Social Research

Sunday, October 22, 2006

 

RWJF grant to Minnesota Departmemt of Health


Active Grants
Public Health

Project:
Training and leadership development for Minnesota's Emerging Leaders Network in public health

Grant Detail:
$29,994, (awarded on Dec 8, 2005, starting Dec 15, 2005 ending Dec 14, 2006)
ID# 55807

Grantee:

State of Minnesota Department of Health
P.O. Box 64975
Minneapolis, MN 55440-4975

Summary:
The purpose of this project is to improve the cultural competency aspects of the Emerging Leaders' Network (ELN); support training retreats; help enhance the curriculum, including participation by alumni; and advance the creation of a program component to enable, broaden, and sustain the professional networks that develop within and among ELN cohorts.

Contact Information:
Debra L. Burns (Project Director)
debra.burns@health.state.mn.us
Phone: (651) 296-8209



Thursday, October 05, 2006

 

RWJF $99 million grants to fund the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association



The SmokeLess States Program

Gerlach KK and Larkin MATo Improve Health and Health Care: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Anthology , VIII: 29-46, January 2005

This chapter describes SmokeLess StatesĀ®: National Tobacco Policy Initiative, one of the largest investments made by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with $99 million authorized in grants since 1992. Primarily, grants were awarded to non-governmental organizations, with the intention that they would educate the public and policy-makers about the tobacco problem. Two features about the program are significant: (1) the Foundation encouraged its grantees to be activists; (2) advocacy was emphasized to bring about policy change. The program relied heavily on three major health voluntary organizations: the American Cancer Society; the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. They provided financial support and, in particular, funds to help lobbying efforts which the Foundation could not support directly. In addition to insight on the effects of advocacy, this chapter offers a window into the role of coalitions in bringing about social change. The program ended in 2004 and its lasting impact has yet to be determined.

View the full text.



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