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The New England Chapter of the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America has been active in support of policies of concern to people with asthma/allergies and their families. Usually we start by listening to people's concerns. Sometimes we conduct a survey of needs or views and try to learn more about the issues before formulating a policy. Then we try to educate people. If education isn't enough, we may speak out more publicly. If that isn't enough, we sometimes prioritize our concerns and support legislation that could help. Unfortunately we are not able to cover every issue of concern to people with asthma and allergies.

If you are interested in supporting any of the bills listed here, please contact our office or your local legislator to see what can be done. A complete listing of the Massachusetts state legislators can be found at: http://www.state.ma.us/legis/legis.htm

We are not equipped to advocate for individuals in specific situations, although we can send information that addresses a widespread issue of concern to you.

If you would like to help with any of these public policy issues, please contact us by e-mail at aafane@aafane.org or phone/TTY 781-444-7778 or toll-free at (877)-2-ASTHMA.

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SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS:

Tobacco smoke is the most preventable trigger of asthma. It presents a danger both to the person smoking and the people who inhale the secondhand smoke. Children of mothers who smoke are twice as likely to develop asthma.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you currently smoke, commit to quitting smoking. (In Massachusetts, you can call 1-800- TRY-TO STOP for help.)
Keep your home, car, and childcare smoke-free.
Help protect children who may not be able to leave a smoky room or be able to tell you they are not feeling well.
Contact aafane@aafane.org for:

Free copies of our dollar size "To The Manager Notes" which tell restaurants that you prefer smoke-free dining.
A free copy of our pamphlet "Tobacco Smoke: It Takes Our Breath Away"
An alert to us that your community is proposing a ban on tobacco smoke
A Letter to the Editor from us, to your newspaper, explaining why a proposed ban on tobacco smoke will help people with asthma.

Call your legislators and ask them to support funding for the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program. See www.tobaccofreemass.org for current status and how you can help.
Call your legislators and ask them to support a statewide ban on smoking in workplaces. Most New England states are considering the bill (called House 2599 and Senate Bill 521) had a hearing on May 7, and there is also an effort to pass the ban as part of the state budget (go to www.tobaccofreemass.org for details and how you can help.)

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A SCHOOL NURSE FOR EVERY SCHOOL

Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease seen at school. Life-threatening food allergies are found in almost every school. The New England Chapter of the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America believes that it is important for every school to have a full-time nurse to care for children with asthma and allergies and to be their advocate in the school environment. In Massachusetts we have helped to increase the number of school nurses by working in a coalition and speaking to legislators on behalf of children with asthma and allergies.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Speak to your principal and make sure adequate plans are in place for your child if your school does not have a full-time nurse.
Contact us at aafane@aafane.org for our policy statement and information on why a school nurse is so important.
Support state and local efforts to fund school nurse positions.

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HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN AT SCHOOL

Although you may try to make your home safe for children with asthma and allergies, their schools can contain such triggers as molds, animal danders, dust mites, smoke, and a variety of fumes from art supplies, vocational projects, cafeterias, cleaning products, and pesticides. These problems can be compounded by poor ventilation or dust from renovation and construction projects that are not properly contained. Our survey of school nurses indicated that children with asthma frequently face indoor air quality problems at school.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Pay attention if your child complains about an asthma trigger at school or comes home with symptoms.
Speak to the school about correcting any problem.
Present good information about the issue to your school. For information contact: aafane@aafane.org. For additional information, go to the website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov. Look for information on "Tools for Schools" and "Tools for NEW Schools."
Try to get your school to establish an Indoor Environment Team and use the "Tools for Schools" kit to evaluate and regularly monitor the school and try to prevent problems.
Support AAFA New England Chapter's efforts to deal with these issues in a broad public policy way through our participation in the Healthy Schools Network.
Encourage school personnel to attend "Creating Healthy Schools in Massachusetts: Working Together, Finding Solutions," September 24, 2003 (see Calendar of Events).

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EPINEPHRINE AND ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS:

We support efforts to have all EMTs on ambulances (and all emergency first responders such as police and firemen) trained to administer epinephrine to people with anaphylactic reactions. We also want First Aid Training to include aid for anaphylaxis.

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LATEX GLOVE BAN:

We support a ban on the widespread overuse of non-sterile latex gloves in food service, child care, and health settings. Two national organizations of allergists have previously issued a position paper on this issue.

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FOOD ALLERGY ISSUES:

We helped the Department of Education in Massachusetts to develop clear guidelines for Managing Life-Threatening Food Allergies in Schools. Please urge your state and your school to adopt these guidelines.

We support efforts to require clear labeling of food ingredients.

Federal Bill H.R. 467: Food Ingredient Right to Know Act

Official Title: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that foods containing spices, flavoring, or coloring derived from meat, poultry, other animal products (including insects), or known allergens bear labeling stating that fact and their names.

Sponsor: Rep. Nita M. Lowey (NY-18). Introduced 1/29/2003.

Cosponsors: 9 (the two New England cosponsors are Rep. Rosa DeLauro [CT-3] and Rep. Bernard Sanders [VT]).

Latest Major Action: 2/14/2003 Referred to House subcommittee.

Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

What You Can Do: Call or write to your congressmen and tell them why it is important to you and your family to have all food ingredients clearly labeled. You can go to www.thomas.loc.gov to find out how to reach your congressman and to learn about progress on this bill.

Massachusetts Senate Bill 513, An Act Relative to Food Allergies and Restaurants.

SECTION 1. Chapter 140 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 6 the following section:

Section 6B. All restaurants located in the commonwealth, including take-out facilities and catering businesses serving food in the commonwealth must:

a. train food servers, chefs and all other employees coming into contact with food about serious consequences of food allergies;

b. conspicuously list on the menu or in a conspicuous location, a current list of those food items served by the business containing in any ingredient tree nuts, nut oils, peanuts, peanut oil, soy beans, milk, wheat, fish, shellfish, eggs, or any other allergens. For purposes of complying with this section, it shall not be sufficient to suggest that all or substantially all of the food products served may contain allergens;

c. have an on-site person in possession of all relevant food ingredient information and available to answer consumer inquiries about food ingredients;

d. inquire of and obtain detailed written ingredients information from vendors or distributors of food to be consumed in the restaurant or to be served by the caterer that is not initially prepared on the premises or by the restaurant or caterer. The department of public health shall promulgate rules and regulations to accomplish the intent and purpose of this section. A violation of the section shall be punished by a fine of $500 for a first offense and a fine of $1,000 and suspension of required licenses for a second and subsequent offense.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Contact your state senator and representative and tell them how you feel about this bill. To learn how to reach your state senator and state representative, you can call the State House at (616) 722-2400, or search www.state.ma.us/sec/ele.

We have to prioritize the issues that we can support. Let us know your concerns. E-mail us at aafane@aafane.org or call 781-444-7778 or toll-free 1-877-2-ASTHMA.

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