SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Paper address

Dear Editor,

Explain why you are writing. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., killing more than 400,000 people and costing $96 billion in health care bills each year.  Every day, another 1,000 kids become regular smokers – one-third of them will die prematurely as a result.

Make it personal. Explain why you care about the issue. I care about this issue because my oldest sister died of breast cancer at age 42.  Just like 90% of smokers, she started smoking when she was 17. Even though the adult smoking rates in Iowa have gone down, high school students have barely moved over the last five years.  High school student smoking rates are still around 20 percent.

Explain what you would like to see happen. I know you cannot fully fund tobacco control at the level recommended by the CDC this year, but let’s not slide backwards.  Help maintain funding for a program that is effective and is saving lives.

Include an argument for your position. The CDC warns that the nation’s progress in reducing smoking is at risk unless states increase funding for programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit. 

Sincerely,

Your name
Your Address
Phone number

 

Tips For Getting Published

1. Keep it short – 150 words
2. Make your point quickly
3. Include name, address, and daytime phone number
4. Remember---ALL letters are subject to editing
5. MOST letters are edited for clarification and length
6. Choose your words carefully. Angry letters are likely to be rejected
7. Most letters can be e-mailed