Dear Editor:
I am excited about the opportunity I have had this past year with Breathe Easy Hamilton County.
Let me tell you a little bit more about our organization. Breathe Easy Hamilton County is a grant-funded program through the Indiana State Department of Health and our lead agency is the Good Samaritan Network in Fishers. Breathe Easy Hamilton County works in Hamilton County to prevent youth from ever starting to use tobacco by collaborating with schools, clubs and organizations to educate youth about the dangers of tobacco use. We do this by giving presentations, working community events and hosting programs throughout the county.
We also help youth and adults in their cessation efforts by promoting the state’s free cessation service (1-800-QUIT-NOW) to doctors, businesses, organizations and individuals in hopes to reduce the use of tobacco in Hamilton County.
Lastly, we work with city and county officials and the public to educate them on the need for a comprehensive smoke-free air policy in Hamilton County. What we mean by a comprehensive policy is a policy that protects everyone, in every indoor building in Hamilton County and includes both smoking and vaping. There are 22 communities that have passed policies; five have been comprehensive and include e-cigarettes. Coordinators across the state are working to change and update policies to include e-cigarettes.
Breathe Easy Hamilton County’s Alliance meets once a month to help set goals, give input and support these grant deliverables.
In 2019 we are looking to add 15 new members tour Alliance. Our meetings will be moved around to ensure we are covering all the county.
We’d like to invite you to our final meeting for 2018. We are having a luncheon to celebrate all the successes we have made in Hamilton County. We’d love to have you join us.
The Breathe Easy Celebration Luncheon will be held at noon on Thursday, Dec. 13 in the Community Room of the Westfield Washington Public Library, 333 W. Hoover St.
Please RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 6 to slondon_TPC@gsnlive.org.
Stacy London
Program Coordinator, Breathe Easy Hamilton County