Berrien County Tobacco Reduction Coalition

Meeting Minutes

Monday, September 10, 2007

 

Present:     Vita Polasek, Shannon Larry-Burton, Paul Olmstead, Terri Karnes, Lisa Dettman, Becky Wyre, Nancy VandeVrede, Theresa Green, Janie Colton, Kerri Teachout.

 

I.                     Meeting was called to order at 12:10pm by Chair Paul Olmstead.

 

II.                   Approval of agenda. 

 

III.                 Approval of minutes.  Kerri moved to approve, Theresa 2nd the motion.  Motion carried.

 

IV.                Reports

 

a.        Berrien County Clean Indoor Act Regulation (Kerri)

                                                               i.      Four complaints have resulted in violations confirmed and notices sent.  All four business verbally agreed to comply, but we do not have written compliance statement.  One business self-reported ‘we will not comply’.  Two anonymous complaints were made by phone, but must be in writing for follow up.

                                                              ii.      Bingo Halls will be smoke-free per the regulation.

                                                            iii.      Any fines collected will be deposited into the Health Departments General Fund.

b.         Grants (Vita)

                                                               i.      Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan Grant Initiative.  We were one of 18 counties who have an active tobacco reduction coalition, who applied for and were awarded a $30K grant.  Includes some TV and billboard advertising, prevention and peer to peer education within our local schools.

                                                              ii.      Berrien Community Foundation has awarded us some funding from the tobacco tax to use for a senior citizen prevention/cessation program through the Area Agency on Aging.  There is a high % of smokers in the senior age group.  Residents of assisted living and nursing homes can smoke in their private rooms, but not in common areas, hallways or doorways.  Aside from their private rooms, they must remain 25 feet from the doors when smoking.

c.        SYNAR and Vendor Education Update (Kerri)

                                                               i.      Checks will resume this quarter.  In 2008 all BH vendors will be checked, not just the selected percentage as we have done this year.

                                                              ii.      Most of those vendors who are not compliant are in BH.

d.        Gaps in our Membership

                                                               i.      Ideas for increasing membership:

1.        Hold a special community event annually to update and educate the area businesses about our progress, get their input.

2.        Include phone and video conferencing options for those who may not be able to attend every month.

3.        Contact doctors/pediatricians to join us – hold meetings after hours to accommodate their schedules.

e.        Legislative Updates (Kerri)

1.        Thirty-one states are now smoke-free in all public places, including bars and restaurants.  Illinois will be smoke-free effective 1/1/08. 

2.        Michigan HB 4163 is tabled pending budget issues at the house level.


f.         BCTRC Marketing (Kerri)

                                                               i.      Brochure is in progress – final draft to be sent to all members before or at October meeting.  Once approved, they will be printed and distributed to local restaurants.  Theme is ‘Why should my restaurant go smoke-free?’  Research shows sales increases once restaurants go smoke-free, however cigarette sales remain steady.  Special thanks to Janie Colton and ISD.

                                                              ii.      Website will soon list all smoke-free restaurants in Berrien County.

                                                            iii.      Over 125 smoking cessation class schedules have been distributed to local health clubs, businesses such as Wal-Mart and at health clinics.

g.       Goals for BCTRC

                                                               i.      Developing goals and tasks for members throughout the fall/winter

                                                              ii.      We will continue to pick up where the Smoke-free Berrien Task force left off in regards to the smoke-free regulation.  This includes educating the public on the dangers of tobacco use and 2nd hand smoke.

                                                            iii.      We need to promote smoke-cessation classes for adults.

 

V.                  Announcements

 

a.        Laser Therapy

                                                               i.      Nancy VandeVrede presented new option for smoking cessation – cold, low level laser therapy.  She provides the laser, foot bath, quitters survival quit, and a free booster treatment within 90 days for $169.95.  Same treatment in Chicago area costs $300 or more. 

                                                              ii.      Studies show that only 7% of smokers who quit without any support are successful after the first year.

b.        Next Meeting

                                                               i.      Barbara Starke, MSN, RN, HNC (and more) will present and demonstrate at the next BCTRC meeting another option for smoking cessation - Auricular Acupuncture.

 

VI.                Adjournments:  Paul Olmstead adjourned meeting at 1:25pm.

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2007 AT 12:00PM AT THE BERRIEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON M-139 IN BENTON HARBOR