About
Our Mission
To improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans and lower health care costs by reducing the incidence of disease, suffering, disability and death caused by tobacco use through public education and mobilization.
Our Vision
CHART strives to be the vehicle to initiate and sustain policy and cultural change that will create a tobacco-free Tennessee.
Our History
CHART is a membership-based grassroots coalition designed to educate the public and motivate Tennesseans to make political change. The central mission of CHART is to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans by preventing disease, disability and death caused by tobacco use. CHART is a cooperative effort of more than 50 partner organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association and the Tennessee Medical Association.
For the past 10 years, CHART has taken a public stand on key issues related to tobacco. The coalition helped generate vital state funds when a 7-cent increase in the state’s tobacco excise tax was secured in 2002.
In the 2006 legislative session, Tennessee saw an unprecedented 27 bills filed in the Tennessee General Assembly regarding tobacco control. We supported legislation to make all state-owned buildings smoke-free. Through CHART’s efforts, more than half of House and Senate members signed on as sponsors of the legislation. Most important, at the bill-signing ceremony Gov. Phil Bredesen said that this was the first step toward more comprehensive measures against tobacco use. CHART was integral to the passage of this legislation, and the debate opened new doors to the possibility of a more comprehensive smoke-free bill.
During the 2007 legislative session, CHART was instrumental in the passage of the Non-smokers Protection Act by the state legislature. Under this law, smoking is prohibited in all workplaces, including restaurants, with certain exceptions. That same year, CHART supported legislation to increase the cigarette tax from $.20 to $.62. Additionally, $10 million was set aside for smoking cessation and prevention programs.
In 2008, despite a tight budget year, $5 million was designated for smoking cessation and prevention programs.
Thanks to all our CHART supporters who have written, e-mailed and phoned their representatives to support these initiatives. We ask that you continue to support our efforts in the 2010 session!