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PORTLAND, Maine

Karen O’Rourke quoted in ‘Bangor Daily News’ article on public health advocates’ message about Maine’s tobacco policies

Karen O’Rourke, M.P.H., director of the Maine Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and assistant clinical professor of public health in the School of Community and Public Health, was quoted in a May 22, 2015 article in the Bangor Daily News.

The article reported that O’Rourke and representatives from the American Lung Association, American Medical Association, American Cancer Society and MaineHealth spoke at a news conference on May 21, urging Maine legislators to prevent a backward slide in the state’s progress in decreasing smoking rates.

"For over 25 years, we have systematically worked to reverse the upward trend of smoking…" Rourke said. "We are perilously close to seeing that progress disappear."

The group stated their opposition to Governor Paul LePage’s budget that would slash spending on anti-tobacco programs administered through the Healthy Maine Partnerships community health organizations.

They also support a bill to ban the use of nicotine vaporizers or e-cigarettes in all areas where smoking is currently prohibited, and they oppose a bill to allow tobacco stores to operate cigar lounges where alcohol could be served.

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