States help residents quit smoking with cessation programs

States regulate various aspects of tobacco sales and use. Many states sponsor a tobacco cessation program to help people quit smoking or using other tobacco products.  Developed in response to the mounting health problems and related costs associated with smoking, many of these programs include assistance for state employees. NCSL has resources and links on the various categories of tobacco-related legislation.

Gang busters

While it was once only an inner-city problem, gangs today gangs have spread nationwide to suburbs, small towns and Native American reservations. And they draw new members from all walks of life. In the June edition of NCSL's State Legislatures magazine, find out what states and the federal government are doing to crack down on gang activity.

State Alliance for e-health

States are working together on some thorny health information technology issues. The State Alliance for e-Health is crafting recommendations to help states adopt health information technology and exchange the information. Made up of governors, legislators, attorneys general and insurance commissioners, the alliance has come up with answers to privacy and security concerns. NCSL's Health Information Technology Champions (HITCh) Project is developing state legislative policy expertise on health information technology.

Cease fire on the umpire

As parents have become more involved in the athletic pursuits of their children, they also have felt a greater freedom to criticize the decisions of coaches and referees. Several states are now getting in the game by introducing legislation to protect sports officials from aggressive parents and fans.

Register Now 

Registration to the National Conference of State Legislatures' Legislative Summit is free to members of the media! The 2008 Legislative Summit--a meeting of ideas, solutions, innovations and connections--will be at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, July 22-26. More than 150 policy sessions will cover issues such as education, health care and corrections. Come examine some of the most important concerns facing state legislators from across the country. Members of the media can register on NCSL's Legislative Summit home page by clicking on the Press Room. Registration is listed under Resources for Journalists.

NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

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