KEYSER — A three-hour program used in connection with Kaiser Permanente for assisting smokers to think about making the choice to quit using tobacco has been scheduled under the sponsorship of the Healthy Mineral County Coalition.
Angela Powers, coordinator of the Regional Tobacco Prevention Coalition, stated the program is “not designed to have smokers quit during the brief session, but rather is a time to make information available about smoking cessation.”
She also mentioned the benefits of being tobacco-free will be a subject discussed.
“The participants will have an opportunity to seek ideas and helps from the others attending the session,” she said.
The program has been potentially scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 6, and Powers said that “this particular date is good because it is during a time when resolutions are being made.”
A pre-registration is needed, and a minimum of six people are required for the program that is tentatively to take place at the Mineral County Health Department.
The deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 21, and those interested in being part of the smoking cessation class may call the West Virginia Extension office at 304-788-3621.
Powers pointed out the Kaiser Permanente program is geared toward businesses and industries, along with the general public.
Gerri Mason, executive director of the Family Resources Network, who was facilitating the Healthy Coalition meeting, reminded those attending of “incentives given by businesses for health insurance coverage to non-smokers.’”
Also in attendance was Becky Schneider, the newly-appointed head of nutrition for Mineral County Schools.
She reported on the Pick a Better Snack program, and commented that fruits and vegetables are being promoted at Keyser Primary-Middle School and recently pumpkin fluff was a featured item on the school’s lunch menu.
Speaking about a community garden plot, located behind the Health Department, Mason stated the soil has already been tested, and the ground will be tilled-up as early as March 2010.
She also mentioned a Master Gardener will oversee the garden that will be open for community participation.
Seeking finances to assist with several program that are part of the Healthy Coalition, Mason recently applied for community grants to help defray the cost of making posters for distribution for the Pick a Better Snack program and provide refreshments for the Community Baby Shower.
The next Healthy Coalition meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 3:30 p.m., at the Health Department.