November 30, 2005       (937) 374-5660 or toll-free at 1(866) 858-3588

GREENE COUNTY COMBINED HEALTH DISTRICT
RECEIVES $199,137 TO CONTINUE TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAMS
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, CHRIS WIDENER(R) PRESENTS AWARD

(Xenia, OH) Greene County Combined Health District announced today they are the recipients of additional funding for local tobacco control programs from the Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation (TUPCF).  This 14-month extension, originally funded by TUPCF in 2002, will continue to fund high quality prevention and quit assistance throughout Greene, Clinton, Fayette and Warren counties, and the cities of Hamilton and Middletown.

During a ceremony today at Central Middle School in Xenia, Ohio, State Representative Chris Widener (R) from the 84^th District presented a check for $199,137 to Greene County Combined Health District representatives Sara T. Pappa, Director, Health Education and Mark McDonnell, Greene County Health Commissioner.

“We are pleased to have Chris Widener as our guest today,” said Pappa.  “Without his support of the Foundation and tobacco control in this community, this program would not be possible.  Programs like ours have played a significant role in Ohio’s changing culture and the reduction of tobacco use, especially in the five counties we serve.”

Chris Widener spoke about the positive impact the program is having on the community during the presentation.

TUPCF’s grants support tobacco use prevention and cessation services in local communities statewide.  The 24 three-year grants that were extended to a fourth year were all recipients of TUCPF’s first round of community grants in 2002.  The total amount of extensions granted was $8.7 million, an eight percent decrease from current funding levels.

About the Ohio Tobacco Use and Prevention Control Foundation (TUPCF):
The Ohio Tobacco Use and Prevention Control Foundation was founded by the Ohio General Assembly in 2000 and is funded with monies secured from the national Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between tobacco companies and 46 states.  TUPCF is charged with reducing tobacco use among Ohioans, with an emphasis on youth, minority and regional populations, pregnant women and others who may be disproportionately affected by the use of tobacco.  Following the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Best Practices, TUPCF programs range from the distribution of community grants and special focus initiatives to Ohio’s tobacco use counter-marketing campaign, stand, and the free Ohio Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW).  For more information on TUPCF and its programs, go to standohio.com. 

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