The group represents a comprehensive cross-section of civic-minded individuals from around the state. The board members have been traveling within their local communities and around the state talking about the importance of passing the tobacco tax this November.� "This is a group of highly motivated and extremely dedicated individuals, that I am proud to work with," said campaign chairman Larry Luitjens. "These people have given of their personal time and energy to educate South Dakota on the many benefits, of the Tax Tobacco: Save Lives. Save Money. Campaign."
Of the many benefits cited by Luitjens, number one is the reduction in youth smoking. Luitjens, a legendary high school coach, has seen first hand the ill effects of teenage smoking.
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"It just breaks your heart," said Luitjens. "These kids think they are invincible and quite frankly don't have the years and wisdom to understand the irreparable harm they are doing to themselves and their future health. We must do what we can to make sure kids never take that first puff."
Luitjens concerns are validated by recent studies that show South Dakota has the second highest youth smoking rate in the nation, with 28 percent of South Dakota high school students admitting smoking.
East River Co-Chairman and advisory board member Rod Parry, M.D., says the state cannot afford to keep paying for smoking related illnesses. At the current tobacco tax rates, South Dakota taxpayers are losing millions of dollars annually.
"South Dakota's tobacco taxes are well below the national average," said Parry, who is also the vice president/dean of the Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota. "Tobacco use will cost South Dakota's taxpayer-funded Medicaid program $53 million this year alone while taxes generated from tobacco users will amount to less than $30 million, leaving the non-tobacco using taxpayers of South Dakota to make up the difference.
"It's time we start making this deadly habit less affordable, especially for children," Parry continued. "I can't remember having a patient tell me they started smoking in their 30's , 40's or 50's, this is a habit that starts young and as responsible members of� society it's time we do something meaningful to break this vicious cycle of early addiction. This tax is a win/win for South Dakota."
The 31-member advisory board will have a busy next 60 days. They plan to give speeches, attend events, recruit additional volunteers, make phone calls, and distribute information to voters. "I am sure we will all be exhausted on Nov. 7," said Luitjens. "Everyone on this advisory board understands just how important passing the tobacco tax will be to the future of South Dakota."
Members of the advisory board are listed below:
E. Paul Amundson, M.D.
Physician, Sioux Falls
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Marty Allison, M.D.
Physician, Pierre��
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Kevin Weiland, M.D.
Physician, Rapid City
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Joann Bennett, DO
Physician, Sioux Falls
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Patrick S. McGreevy, M.D.
Physician, Sioux Falls
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Dick Bohy
American Cancer Society – Midwest Division, Sioux Falls
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Roger Carter, M.D.
Physician, Watertown
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Mary Dunn����������
Educator, Eden
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Larry Frost�����������
South Dakota State Representative, Aberdeen
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Leslie Heinemann, DDS Flandreau
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Steve Hilpipre������
Clinic Manager, Watertown
Jennifer Stalley
American Cancer Society
Midwest Division, Pierre
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Joanie Holm��������
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Brookings
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Richard Holm, M.D.������
Physician, Brookings
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Paul Knecht���������
South Dakota Dental
Association, Pierre
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Dean Krogman���
South Dakota Medical
Association, Sioux Falls
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Ellen Lee
Foundation Director, Pierre
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Clark Likness, M.D.�������
Physician, Watertown
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Larry Luitjens�����
Co-Chairman
Principal/Coach Custer High School, Custer
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Tobi Lyon
South Dakota Nurses
Association, Rapid City
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Dwight Vick, Ph.D.
Asst. Professor of Political Science, University of South Dakota
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J. Michael� McMillin, M.D.
Physician, Sioux Falls
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Allen Nord, M.D.������������
South Dakota Tobacco Free Kids Network, Rapid City
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Charisse Oland����
Healthcare Consultant,
Sioux Falls
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Rodney R. Parry, M.D.
Co-Chairman
Physician, Sioux Falls
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James Reynolds, M.D.
Physician, Sioux Falls
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David Rossing, M.D.������
Physician, Madison
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Chuck Sherman, Ph.D.
Watertown Human Service Agency, Watertown
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Darrin Smith
American Heart Association, Sioux Falls
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Don Van Etten, M.D.����
Retired Surgeon, Rapid City
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Mike Luken
Board Chairman American Lung Association, Watertown
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The Tax Tobacco: Save Lives. Save Money. Campaign encourages anyone who would like to get more information or help in the effort to visit www.taxtobaccoSD.com.
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