Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition Awarded Two-Year Grant
Posted
Staff Report-
Kosciusko County received a two-year grant from the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission of the Indiana State Health Department to establish a new program in Kosciusko County. Dan Gray, from the Wabash County Tobacco Free Coalition, worked in Kosciusko County the last two years to consider the need for the grant in the county and to determine the interest for its own county coalition to do the work of education, cessation and prevention. A new coalition will be formed with a partnership of Kosciusko County Health Department & K21 Health Foundation. The grant takes effect July 1. Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, according to a press release. It is responsible for approximately 20 percent of all deaths. Gray, who will be the director of the Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition, stated that the main purpose of the coalition is to make Kosciusko County Hoosiers more aware of the health effects of continued tobacco use by the user as well as the non-user. Gray continued by stating that the coalition will focus to improve the health of Kosciusko County by educating Kosciusko Hoosiers about the dangers of tobacco and secondhand smoke, provide cessation for those that are ready to quit, and prevention programs for the youth. There also will be a concentrated effort to help Kosciusko County improve the quality of air everyone breathes. There will be a part-time coordinator hired to help with the prevention program. Prevention is the best way to block the addiction, diseases, and death caused by tobacco use, according to the release. This person will work with the youth of the county through the schools and youth programs and contact businesses and health care providers to make them aware of the free state quit line at 800-QUIT-NOW. There also is a need to build a coalition with interested Kosciusko residents who would be eager to help with the work of the coalition. Contact Gray if you are interested in being a part of helping Kosciusko County becoming a healthier County. The coalition office is at 1515 Provident Drive. If you are interested in helping with the work of the coalition, need help with cessation, or have any questions, call Gray at 260-571-2464.
