News Release

For Immediate Release                  Contact:  Irene G. Warren, Director of Development

December 1, 2003                              (937) 374-5626 or 1-866-858-3588

GREENE COUNTY COMBINED HEALTH DISTRICT
AWARDED SECOND YEAR FUNDING OF $170,689 FOR THE
TOBACCO FREE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

(Xenia, OH) Greene County Combined Health District has received grant funding for a second year of  $170,689 from the Ohio Tobacco Use and Prevention Control Foundation to implement the Tobacco Free Healthy Communities Program in Greene, Clinton, Fayette and Warren counties, and the cities of Hamilton and Middletown.

The grant award will be used to provide tobacco education and cessation programs focusing on the following populations that use tobacco products: pregnant women; youth; adults; minorities and smokeless tobacco users.

In 2000 the state of Ohio received funds from a Master Settlement Agreement against the tobacco industry and Senate Bill 192, created the framework for Ohio’s plan to reduce tobacco consumption.

To address Ohio’s alarmingly high smoking rates, Senate Bill 192 allowed for the creation of the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Trust Fund to help reduce tobacco use in Ohio. The Fund, governed by a 20-member Board of Trustees, distributes grants to reduce tobacco use among all Ohioans with a focus on youth, pregnant women, regional populations and any other groups disproportionately affected by tobacco use.

For additional information regarding the Tobacco Free Healthy Communities Program, contact, Greene County Combined Health District, Director of Health Education, Sara Pappa at (937) 376-5600 or 1-866-858-3588.

Greene County Combined Health District – Your center for public health services and health information in Greene County for over 70 years.

Healthy People…Healthy Communities