Pennsylvania Planned Parenthood Conducts Anti-Smoking Drive
by Maria Gallagher
LifeNews.com Staff Writer
May 17, 2004
York, PA (LifeNews.com) — Some pro-life leaders in Pennsylvania say that Planned Parenthood is trying to disguise its mission by jumping on the anti-tobacco bandwagon.
Planned Parenthood of Central Pennsylvania is listed as a sponsor of an "anti-smoking educational event for families" in York County, Pennsylvania.
While Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion operation, has long been known for its savvy public relations campaigns, some Pennsylvania pro-lifers say they’re surprised that the organization is now trying to spearhead no-smoking efforts.
Susan Karlovich, a long-time pro-life activist on the county and state level in Pennsylvania, is appalled by what she views as Planned Parenthood’s latest public relations scheme.
"The York Planned Parenthood center is one of six Pennsylvania Planned Parenthood facilities that perform abortions," Karlovich said.
Planned Parenthood operates abortion businesses in Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia, York, Berks, and Allegheny Counties, according to the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.
"The York Center performs over 600 abortions each year alone," Karlovich added. "They are obviously using this event as a smokescreen to hide the fact that they are responsible for the deaths of thousands of unborn children. They obviously care nothing about unborn babies or their mothers except to exploit them for profit.
In Pennsylvania and around the nation, Planned Parenthood is notorious for trying to portray itself as a full-service women’s health organization.
For instance, a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Pennsylvania launched a "Dine Out for Life" campaign which was a restaurant-oriented fundraiser aimed at combating AIDS.
Planned Parenthood also often promotes its screening programs for breast cancer and cervical cancer in an effort to win public support–and the taxpayer dollars that frequently go with it.
Planned Parenthood affiliates in Ohio claimed that poor women would go without cancer screenings if the organization did not receive state funds. However, lawmakers disagreed, cutting off funding by noting that such health services could be provided by other agencies–agencies that did not perform abortions.
Planned Parenthood has also allied itself with entities ranging from domestic violence prevention programs to the Girl Scouts of America in an effort to show its community commitment.
In the York County case, Planned Parenthood is partnering with organizations including the local Tobacco Free Coalition and Helping Hands for the Homeless in order to mount the anti-smoking event.
Pennsylvania pro-life leaders also note that Planned Parenthood is trying to make an in-road with the next generation by sponsoring an event which features activities that appeal to youth. According to the Community Calendar listing which appeared in the York Dispatch
newspaper, the Planned Parenthood anti-smoking event promises "music, food, games, clowns, face painting…and prizes."
Planned Parenthood did not return a request for comment from LifeNews.com.
Related web sites:
Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation – https://www.paprolife.org
