Coalition tackles smoking

By Jean Braithwaite
tribune correspondent

KEYSER — While focusing for the past several months on promoting healthy nutritional choices through the Pick a Better Snack program, another area of interest — revitalizing a smoking cessation education project — was selected recently by the Healthy Mineral County Coalition.
Gerri Mason, executive director of the Family Resources Network, said that previous smoking cessation efforts were part of the Healthy Coalition’s agenda, but “we have to get this program rolling again.”
The first event to strengthen the cause for stopping the use of tobacco products has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Keyser Wal-Mart.
Angela Powers, coordinator of the Regional Tobacco Prevention Coalition will facilitate the event and was present at the meeting.
She said the November happening will coincide with the Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
“We will have smoking cessation literature available, along with a challenge for smokers to throw away their cigarettes in a garbage container,” Powers said.
Stating that prizes will be given away during the program, she mentioned that, because the time is close to Thanksgiving, a turkey will be part of the free items given away through a random drawing.
Plans set by the Healthy Coalition members are to hold a smoking cessation presentation that would include spit tobacco and be taught by Powers during the first part of 2010.
Continuing to partner with area schools, Potomac State College, hospitals, and restaurants through the Pick a Better Snack, the Healthy Coalition will seek funding to advance the program.
Mason is presently applying for a Community Fund Grant to help defray the cost of printing of nutritional materials and posters for distribution, particularly to local eating establishments.
The next meeting of the Healthy Mineral County Coalition will take place Tues., Nov. 17, at 3:30 p.m., at the Health Department.