Berrien County Tobacco Reduction Coalition

Meeting Minutes

Monday June 9, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.

Berrien County Health Department – M-139, Benton Harbor, MI

 

 

Present:            Paul Olmstead, Kerri Teachout, Kim Rodgers, Shannon Larry-Burton, Lisa Peeples-Hurst, Angela Marr, Vita Polasek, Terri Karnes

 

I.          Call to Order at 12:15 pm by Paul Olmstead.

 

II.         Approval of Minutes: Motion by Kerri Teachout, 2nd by Kim Rodgers.  Motion carried.

 

III.       Reports

 

A.      House Bill 4163 – Smoke-free restaurants and bars in Michigan.

 

1.       5074 was submitted by the House with exceptions listed (casinos, bingo halls and cigar bars).  Senate said if 5074 was not passed, they would consider concurring on 4163.  Summer session is coming up, so this topic may be tabled until fall or later, 2009. 

2.       1-888-Now I Can (1-888-669-4886).  This number is a service of the American Red Cross and provides an operator who, based on your address, directs you to your state representative so you can address smoking ban issues.  We encourage members to call the number.

3.       Due to the delay in this law, we recommend continuing an aggressive campaign from this coalition for local restaurants to go smoke-free.

4.       5100 restaurants in Michigan are now smoke-free. 

 

B.       Smoking Cessation Classes

 

1.        Update on current class - 7 individuals initially signed up, 5 have been attending and 4 have stopped smoking for the past two weeks.

2.       Lakeland gives members of the class nicotine patch at cost plus .50 cents at Lakeland Pharmacy.  Retail is $45, cost is around $27.  Must be enrolled in our class to receive this offer.

3.       Future Classes

a.       InterCare Community Health Network (contact is Sally Smith) would like to offer the ‘Freedom From Smoking’ classes at their facility beginning in August, which coincides with National Health Center Week.  Classes would be open to the public.

b.       First Church of Nazarene also would like to offer a class at their location.  These would be free classes, additional would require a fee. (Raine) 

c.       Two additional classes fundable at YMCA in Niles as well.

4.       Pulmonary Partners – called Paul to discuss smoking cessation class for COPD sufferers.  Information was sent re: how to set up a class.  Southwestern Medical Clinic also received our cards and information.

5.       Prenatal Smoking Cessation.  Need assistance in developing a referral form from prenatal care providers to cessation educators/clinicians. 

a.       Form already exists that asks about smoking habits, and there is a place on the back of the form for referrals, but it is not being used as referrals are not being made.

b.       Pregnant Quit Kits are available in limited quantities.  State of Michigan is no longer providing these quit kits.

c.       Problem – communication about these services to clients of WIC, Family Planning services.  Staff should be educated on how to use the form and to offer these referrals based on health history form.

d.       HIPAA may be an issue – so we would need a consent to release the names to another department for follow-up.  Nurse Family Partnership already has consent form to release information to any Berrien County service agency.  Kerri and Angela to follow up with NFP for process of referrals.

 

C.       DYTUR Update

 

1.                   Coupon Books for Smoke-Free Dining

a.       Ottawa County Tobacco Reduction Coalition created colorful coupon book for smoke-free dining.  Free to patrons.

b.       Funded by coalition, but we could charge for them here if necessary to offset printing costs.  Printed in full-color cost about $15K, but could be done in black and white to save money. 

c.       Restaurants did not pay, received free advertising in the coupon book.  Also advertising for the coalition – website and phone numbers printed on the book.

d.       Distributed at the business listed in the book.

2.                   Black Lights – small, key-chained size light, given as an incentive for tobacco retailers to check IDs.  The ultra violet light reveals three state seals on the driver’s license visible only in this type of light.

3.                   Vendor Education – Two sessions for tobacco vendors.  “No Cigs for Our Kids” campaign, education, black lights, allows them to network and share information.  Most do not want to sell to children, so they are in favor of the steps taken to prevent this.

4.                   Tobacco compliance checks – report in August for Benton Harbor and Benton Township (50 retailers).  There are 185 in the county.

 

D.        Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) Update

 

1.       Lakeshore and Niles High school students who have given presentations to over 950 6th-8th graders, school boards, city council, were honored last week at Niles Pizza Hut (smoke free honor), this week at Lakeshore at Stevensville Pizza Hut. 

2.       BCTRC members encouraged to attend these types of events and show support to the kids and the program.

 

IV.       Other

 

A.                 Nancy VandeVrede invitation tabled due to her absence. 

B.                 August Meeting

1.       Discussion of August meeting- call to invite non-participating members and encouraging new businesses/members to attend.

2.       Send to members of Round table on existing email list.

3.       Invite those who are receiving copies of our minutes.

4.       Blast Fax Option – fax to businesses.

 

V.                 Meeting adjourned, motion made by Lisa Peeples-Hurst, 2nd by Kerri Teachout.

 

 

NO JULY MEETING!

 

NEXT MEETING:  MONDAY AUGUST 11, 2008 AT 12:00 P.M.

Location to be announced with reminder email.