THE SMOKE WILL BE CLEARING SOON
BECAUSE OF THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF SIX AREA
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
Six area healthcare providers were recently awarded a
cooperative 2010 Health Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and
Cessation Grant from the Healthy Ohio initiative and the
Ohio Department of Health. A combination of health
departments and hospitals are working together, each
providing their expertise toward one goal – to prevent
and reduce tobacco use.
The health departments of Erie, Huron and Sandusky
counties, as well as Fisher-Titus Medical Center, The
Bellevue Hospital, and Mercy Willard Hospital are
partnering together and offering a variety of programs
for area residents.
“We are exceptionally pleased to have been awarded this
grant and to have the opportunity to reach the area’s
school aged children with prevention measures, as well
as cessation programming for individuals who are
currently smoking, “ David Pollick, Health Commissioner,
Sandusky County Health Department said.
The Health Departments will focus on youth prevention
while the hospitals are focusing on tobacco cessation
programs.
As part of the youth prevention activities, the health
departments are utilizing Tobacco Prevention Coalitions,
Life Skills Training Program, and Stand Teams.
Programs will be held in conjunction with the area’s
Tobacco Prevention Coalitions to enhance the awareness
of the negative effects of tobacco use.
“The health departments will be working with schools to
present the Life Skills Training classes. The program is
free to schools and will address alcohol, tobacco and
other drugs, and other skills necessary for making
healthy decisions,” Tim Hollinger, Health Commissioner
for the Huron County General Health District, said. The
Stand Teams are made up of 12 to 18 year olds working
together on projects to stand up and speak out against
tobacco use.
Fisher-Titus Medical Center, The Bellevue Hospital and
Mercy Willard Hospital will be offering individual and
group tobacco cessation programs at a variety of times,
location and dates. Some classes may also be available
at area business worksites. Each hospital will be
providing nicotine replacement therapy as part of this
grant, which runs through June 30, 2010. There is
limited availability of the nicotine replacements
available at each facility, so it is very important to
call to schedule a time with the cessation specialist at
each hospital.
“We are focusing on increasing public awareness of the
number of programs available to help people quit
smoking,” Pete Schade, Health Commissioner, Erie County
Health Department said. “Along with all of the hospital
and health department programs, we will also be
referring to the Ohio Quit Line to increase their
success rates.” Studies have shown that by calling
1-800-QUIT NOW, people will be 5 times more likely to
succeed because of the support of the Quit Line’s
advice, counseling and other services.
The 2006 Ohio Adult Tobacco Survey shows that 22.3
percent of adults in Ohio currently smoke cigarettes
compared to the U.S. rate of 19.7 percent. Roughly 60
percent of these smokers have attempted to quit at least
once over the past year, an only 18 percent of them were
successful.
For additional information for services available in
your area, contact:
Tobacco Cessation:
Kim Bailey, RRT, CTTS Fisher-Titus Medical Center
419-663-1975, Ext 6320
Terry Webb, CTTS, RRT, RCP The Bellevue Hospital
419-483-4040, Ext. 4244
Jane Laughbaum, RN, BSN, CTTS Willard Mercy Hospital
419-964-5000
