SHASTA COUNTY TOBACCO EDUCATION COALITION Monthly Minutes June 2o, 2012

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1 Attendance: [12] Anita Joseph, Aleta Carpenter, Beth Thompson, Brooke Biechmen, Cindy Bahl, Cris Rohn Hartman, Jennifer Richards, Manuel Meza, Stacy Watson, Steve Layton, Theresa Blanco, Therese Standridge. Agenda Item Discussion Action Individual Responsible I. Introductions Committee Member Introductions- New member- Brooke Bichemen introduced her self as the new Perinatal Services Coordinator to take over Denise Hobbs former Public Health position. Enforcement Updates- Steve Layton- mentioned that during the tobacco decoy stings that track sales to minors, 2 out of 12 stores in Redding sold to minors. Violations for selling to minors by clerks at theam/pm store on Bechelli and the Circle K on Hartnell were submitted to the District Attorney s Office. This year we have had outstanding teens assisting with sting decoy operations that have made this project easier. Steve Layton- responded to a complaint about a store in Palo Cedro that was selling cigarettes to minors. He visited the store and talked to the storeowners about the California state law regarding sales to minors. He plans to do more tobacco stings this year. Cris Hartman-asked if there have been any complaints during the fair this year. Steve Layton- responded that there had been only one complaint this year, possibly because of the presence of the NO SMOKING signs and banners promoting the designated areas. In addition, fair security was passing designated smoking location information to people they spotted smoking on the fairgrounds. According to Steve, next year the fair organizers will have a better grasp on how to promote the Shasta District Fair Regulations on smoking. He will meet with them to make sure to answer any questions and offer Page 1 of 5 Meet with Fair organizers to review effect of smoking policy. Steve Layton

2 suggestions. Cindy Bahl- commented to Steve that during her last visit to Mercy Medical Center the No Smoking signs were more visible. Anita Joseph- shared that the fairground signs created by Nathan Read have been adopted by the Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California and will be recommended for use as sign model for other lead agencies. Program Updates Cindy Bahl - Proposition 29- July 5 th is the deadline for counties to submit their ballot counts. Only 1% difference separates the vote, with the noes ahead, making this the closest ballot initiative in California history. Proposition 29 advocates were outnumbered 5 to 1 when it comes to media advertising. Big Tobacco companies aired opposing messages every 20 minutes in the L.A. County area prior to Election Day. Something that worked in advocate s favor was the social media, which became a helpful tool in educating the public. The American Cancer Society wants to thank the people for assisting with phone banking. Anita Joseph- suggested that next time this proposition appears on the ballot, perhaps it would help to be more clear with the message that If you don t smoke you would not have to pay extra taxes, and that this tobacco tax only affects smokers. II. Presentation Tobacco Mental Health, & Substance Use- Beth Thompson- shared that Chad Morris, Colorado Mental Health & Substance Abuse, was one of the speakers at the mental health conference. Beth asked Therese Standridge, Stacy Watson and others who attended this conference to share some comments. Page 2 of 5

3 Therese Standridge- learned about the perception that nicotine helps calm down people and how nicotine works in brain. Stacy Watson- learned about the California Smokers Helpline and the comprehensive assistance they provide their clients, and learned the proper way to use nicotine replacement therapies. Jennifer Richards- asked if there has been an increase of number of prescription for Nicotine Replacement Therapies in Shasta Community Health Clinic. Theresa Blanco- At least 60 people are interested in attending smoking cessation classes in Shasta Community Center. She will be looking for additional funding to offer more cessation classes for their clients. Anita Joseph- shared that Dr. Morris said if you are promoting or instituting cessation in behavioral health treatment plans, it is unconscionable and unethical not to provide cessation assistance for people. Smokers who are successful at quitting have a 25% increase in long-term abstinence rates from alcohol and other substances and a longer life. She mentioned that the California Smokers Helpline can call the client and offer assistance for people who are attempting to quit in the first critical week. In addition, she stated that as we continue to work on instituting smoking cessation classes with behavioral health in our county this can be a great tool to promote. Beth Thompson- elaborated that the California Smokers Helpline will spend more time assisting pregnant women and people with mental health illness. In addition, Marta McKenzie was inquiring about bringing Chad Morris to train Mental Health counselors, private practice, and other paraprofessionals. According to Chad, some counseling agencies are being cautious when hiring counselor to make Page 3 of 5

4 sure before hiring them that they have been clean for a year before they can talk about tobacco to their clients. In addition, he believes that treating someone for an addiction but not addressing tobacco as an addiction counselor is considered malpractice. III. Action Items Approval of the Youth Tobacco Decoy Brochure- Anita Joseph- went over the tobacco Decoy Brochure, advised that the HHSA logo would be added, and encouraged TEC members to offer any additional comments. A recommendation was made to approve the brochure with additions and final editing by Nathan Discussion by all that the brochure should be distributed to school counselors, youth groups, key clubs, Friday Night clubs and Leadership clubs. Motion made by Cris Hartman and seconded by Aleta Carpenter; motion passed. Make final edits to brochure Distribute Brochure NathanRead Nathan Read & TEP staff IV. Continuing Business Brainstorming: Increase Tobacco Awareness in Agencies Working with ATOD. Jennifer Richards- asked what can we do as a Coalition? Beth Thompson- mentioned that it would be important to bring Chad Morris back to train private and public substance abuse counselors. Agendize ATOD discussion for next coalition meeting Nathan Read In addition, to include presentations to mental health associations professional meetings to change their perspectives about the importance of cessation intervention. All TEC members- suggested other locations for presentations, including: Mercy Grand Rounds, Shasta Community Health Center, Mental Health Association, Child Abuse Coordinating Counsel, Americore, PCC - Dr. Andrews, Right Roads, Carla Alexander with Health Alliance of Northern California (HANC), NVCSS, Good News Rescue Mission, the Rock Recovery & Wellness Center - Anthony Ballard, Mental Health - AOD Advisory Board Page 4 of 5

5 Verbal Report: School Activities Workgroup- Jennifer Richards- mentioned that still waiting on the meeting on with the Gateway Unified School District Superintendent. Meet with Gateway Superintendent to propose TUPE grant Heidi Brahms and Nathan Read V. New Business Tobacco Report issued by CA Tobacco Coalitions- Anita Joseph- shared with Coalition members information included in the Grassroots Tobacco Control Success Stories from California s Local Lead Agencies July June 2010 booklet. The booklet includes the history of tobacco ordinances in different counties, and their accomplished projects. For Shasta County, we have the first national park smoke free beach ordinance. A copy is available to borrow from Public Health. Mosquito Serenade Observations/Compliance- TEP staff are going to be doing surveys about the Anderson parks tobacco ordinance. TEC members were invited to assist with survey delivery. Coordinate volunteers to assist with surveys Anita Joseph and Manuel Meza VI. Upcoming Events & Announcements June 27- Mosquito Serenade Surveys (Anita) June Day on the Green ( Steve) July Anderson Youth Lunches ( Nathan/Beth/Jenifer and Aleta) July 13- Pit River Health Fair (Manuel) July 25- Mosquito Serenade Surveys (Manuel) Next Meeting Round Table Pizza Mt. Shasta Mall July 18, :30 am 1:00 pm Page 5 of 5