contest

New and Unique Nonsmokers' Rights
Legal Research and Writing Competition

Sponsored by the National Center for Nonsmokers' Rights and Law Professor John Banzhaf

of the George Washington University Law School and Action on Smoking and Health in Washington DC

WE GOOFED -- NEW EASIER 2007 CONTEST -- DEADLINE EXTENDED

MORE PRIZES -- ONLY 1000 WORD ENTRY REQUIRED -- FREE TRIP TO DC

Yes, we goofed, and goofed badly! The web site was NOT updated, so many law students were unaware that they could enter the contest for 2007.
So, to help make it up to everyone, we have made the contest much easier, added more prizes, and extended the deadline for contest submissions:

■ You can enter by submitting only a 1000-word summary of your idea. No additional writing of any kind is required.
■ Thirty-three (33) cash prizes will be awarded, including $5,000 for First Place, $3,000 for Second Place, and $1,000 for Third Place.
■ In addition, thirty (30) law students will receive $1000 travel grants to come to Washington DC during Cherry Blossom Time.
■ The deadline is extended. While submissions may be made up until March 15, 2007, some grants will be made before then. SO SUBMIT ASAP!

THE EARLIER YOU SUBMIT YOUR 1000-WORD SUMMARY, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING!

For more information, please read below and check out the links.
You can also call (202) 223-8308 or email to info@nosmokingcontest.org

LINKS: Natl. Center for Nonsmokers' Rights , Law Prof. John Banzhaf , Contest Home Page , Contest Basic Rules , Entering the Contest
First World Conference on Nonsmokers' Rights , Second World Conference, Third World Conference , Paper Suggestions , History of Legal Actions ,

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND/OR TO BE ADDED TO EMAILING LIST, PLEASE CONTACT: info@nosmokingcontest.org

Students desiring to participate must make their submission -- a 1000-word summary of their idea for a legal or law-related action -- by March 15, 2007. HOWEVER, $1000 GRANTS AND CONFERENCE INVITATIONS WILL BE AWARDED ON A ROLLING BASIS AS ENTRIES ARE RECEIVED.

SO THE EARLIER YOU SUBMIT YOUR 1000-WORD SUMMARY, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE INITIAL SUBMISSIONS

1. The initial competition will be based solely on an initial 1000-word submission which shall be a summary of a novel idea for using legal action as a tool or weapon to protect or advance the rights of nonsmokers, and especially their right to be free from exposure to the health hazards of tobacco smoke pollution. The legal action being proposed may consist of a law suit designed to be brought in court; a complaint, petition for rulemaking, or other action to be brought before an administrative agency; an approach to the problem based upon the passage of novel legislation or the adoption of an unusual referendum; or some plan or project to encourage and/or assist citizens concerned about tobacco smoke pollution to take or assist in legal actions. For examples of the different types of legal and/or law-related proposals which may be made, http://nosmokingcontest.org/ideas Send submissions to: info@nosmokingcontest.org

2. Initial submissions shall be strictly limited to 1000 words as determined by a word processor (Word or WordPerfect). Each submission shall contain a brief -- no more than 1000 word -- description of the idea or proposal, together with some identifying information in a form described hereinafter.

3. Initial submissions shall be made in the form of an email in plain text with NO underlining, boldface, italics, or other unusual characteristics, although capitalization may be used sparingly if necessary. DO NOT SUBMIT AS A WORDPERFECT OR WORD DOCUMENT. The initial submission must be contained as text within the email itself with no attachments of any kind. Indeed, attachments -- which can contain viruses -- will be stripped from the email and ignored. Send submissions to: info@nosmokingcontest.org

4. The purpose of the initial submission is to briefly but very clearly summarize your idea for a new legal or law-related action, explaining as precisely as you can how it would be brought or otherwise implemented. The summary should attempt to explain why you think the approach is likely to be successful, and how you plan to meet or overcome obstacles or problems which are likely to arise. Extensive citations are strongly discouraged, although noting a particular statute, regulatory provision, or one or two key judicial opinions may be appropriate and may even be necessary in some situations for a full understanding and appreciation of your proposal.

5. As shown in the examples on the suggestion page [Paper Suggestions], each initial submission should begin with the last name (CAPITALIZED) and first name of the principle submitter, followed by his or her primary email address and telephone numbers(s). The next line should contain similar information for any co-submitters.

6. After skipping a blank line, a title should attempt to succinctly describe the idea or proposal. The initial submission which follows should consist of short paragraphs of no more than 3 or 4 lines, separated by blank lines. This format will make the submission easier for the judges to read. Care should be taken to avoid any complex indenting or other spacing attempts which are often distorted as the email message is transmitted, received, and printed.

7. All submitters will receive an automatic confirmation that their initial submission has been received. It will be sent as a "return" email to the email address from which it was submitted. Therefore it is very important that the primary email address be accurate, and one which is checked very frequently. Except in the most unusual and compelling circumstances, confirmation and notifications relating to the contest will be sent only to the primary email address of each entrant, and the information will not be provided by phone or in response to emails from other addresses.

8. Please note that the email receipt will be sent regardless of whether the form of the submission is correct, regardless of whether the word limit has been exceeded, etc. In other words, it is the sole responsibility of the submitter to be sure than all of the requirements have been satisfied.

9. A receipt does not guarantee that the submission is in acceptable form and will be considered, and the sponsoring organization has no responsibility to advise submitters of any problems concerning their initial submission.

10. All submissions become the property of the sponsoring organization. The thirty finalists in the competition will be notified via an email sent to their primary email address. Those whose initial submissions have not been selected to move onto the finals will also be notified via an email sent to their primary email address. ALL SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO: info@nosmokingcontest.org .

Students desiring to participate must make their submission -- a 1000-word summary of their idea for a legal or law-related action -- by March 15, 2007. HOWEVER, $1000 GRANTS AND CONFERENCE INVITATIONS WILL BE AWARDED ON A ROLLING BASIS AS ENTRIES ARE RECEIVED.

SO THE EARLIER YOU SUBMIT YOUR 1000-WORD SUMMARY, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.