KAREN JOHNSTON HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP OF GTR.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

A Health Policy Change Initiative To Create Tobacco-free Parks, Community Playgrounds And Recreational Areas.

Program Goals Aim To Decrease:

Smoking prevalence Teen smoking initiation Exposure to secondhand smoke

Why Young Lungs at Play?

History of success demonstrated in Luzerne County Northeast Region
20 municipalities (now 25) 1 school district 226 signs up in 91 parks

National Recognition
California New York

 Health Protect public from

the negative health consequences of exposure to secondhand smoke outdoors.

Environmental Protect
the park from the risk of cigarette causing fires and litter.

Policy Philosophy behind

parks is contradicted by allowing tobacco use.

Penn State Cooperative Extension identifies 18 counties to implement Young Lungs at Play

Expansion

Success in 27 Counties!
96 Tobacco Free Community Policies

YLAP Implementation Outcomes YTD

Original 18 Counties
15 Program Assistants 273 people trained to advocate for YLAP 94 presentations 1647 contacts 1084 policy makers 67 Policies Adopted 57 media articles 5 Kick off events

Expansion
PA DOH Tobacco Primary Contractors in 7 regions 40 additional counties to promote YLAP 29 Policies Adopted

Playgrounds Have Always Been Of Interest To The Tobacco Industry

"PRE-SMOKERS Interesting term in 1973 draft paper, written by R. J. Reynolds' research planning department Scripps Howard 03/30/98 When children see adults or other young people smoking or chewing tobacco in a family-friendly place like a park, it NORMALIZES the act of tobacco use. ADVERTISE heavily at retail outlets near schools and playgrounds using large ads and signs clearly visible from outside the stores.

Opinion Of The Tobacco Industry.

Philip Morris, the nations largest cigarette maker, believes secondhand smoke poses indoor health risks but smoking should be permitted outside, says spokesman Bill Phelps. He says the only exception should be areas intended for kids.
SMOKING BANS GOING FROM INSIDE OUT Wendy Kock, USA Today

HEALTH RISK!
Even when we factor in poor nutrition, tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the U.S.
500,000 450,000 400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0

435,000 365,000

85,000

53,800

43,000

32,439

29,000

20,000

17,000

Source: Mokdad, Ali H., Marks, James S. and Stroup Donna F. et. Al. Actual Causes of Death in the United States, 2000. JAMA. 2004;291:1238-1245.
Source: Glantz, Stanton A., How many nonsmokers does secondhand smoke kill?. Http://www.Tobacco.org/resources/Health/021022glantz.html

Whats in a cigarette?
Cinnamon Peppermint Honey Formaldehyde Arsenic Urea

http://www.tobacco.org/Resources/599ingredients.html

Tobacco Smoke Pollution is Deadly!

599 chemicals and additives used to create the tobacco product 7000 chemicals in the side stream smoke
250 are toxic 70 are carcinogenic

Children are at particular risk

Tobacco Smoke Hurts Children

First hand smoke Second hand smoke Third hand smoke
The Surgeon General has concluded that there is no risk-free level of second hand smoke exposure. Even brief exposures can be harmful.

Tobacco is an environmental hazard!

4.5 trillion cigarette butts become litter every year. Cigarette filters do not biodegrade Cigarette butts contain chemicals with the potential to poison our waterways, animals and children. Smoldering cigarettes trigger fires:

Residential Wildfires Brush Fires Property Damage Death

Cigarettes Are Poisonous When Ingested By Children. In 2009, the American Association of Poison Control Centers received 7,493 reports of potentially toxic exposures to tobacco products among children younger than six years of age in the U.S. Most cases of nicotine poisoning among these children resulted from their ingestion of cigarettes or chewing tobacco.
http://www.legacyforhealth.org/PDFPublications/Environment.pdf

Goal 1: To encourage local townships and organizations to pass regulations banning smoking in outdoor places where children play.
Youth in leadership organizations and families will first educate, then advocate to elected officials, community leaders and policy makers the importance of tobacco-free outdoor places where children play.

Highlights of youth involvement

Trafford Leos Club receives award for YLAP campaign

Youth petition to support YLAP in Westmoreland County

Partnerships are Important

Policy & Decision Makers Directors of Park and Recreation Centers Leaders of Youth Organizations Faith Based Organizations Tobacco Free Coalitions Primary Contractors for Tobacco Prevention Health Departments

Townships, parks and recreation commissions and organizations will pass policies banning smoking in outdoor places where children play.

Send invitation and meet with local partners Meet with policy /decision makers to educate about the harmful effects of tobacco use
Tobacco, like alcohol, is another legal drug Seeing adults use tobacco in family-friendly places view the behavior as acceptable Tobacco-free parks are more desirable Cost of cleaning tobacco waste

Provide sample tobacco free park policy to decision makers

Why Focus on Policy?

Why not just provide another program?
Public & Private Impact Population Wide Impact Low Cost Sustainability

Goal 2. To increase the visibility of public health prevention and anti-smoking messages with posted signage.
Government bodies and organizations will post signs promoting the YLAP campaign in the tobacco-free areas.
Determine outdoor locations and supply signs Prepare news releases to educate the community Conduct Kick-off event to unveil the signs and promote the tobacco ban Collection of data

Westmoreland County

Derry Township Agricultural Fair

Tender Care Learning Centers

Clinton County youth enjoy a picture perfect day at their YLAP tobacco free fields.

West Park - Lawrence County

Conservation District Intern stands tough against tobacco use.

Lazybrook Park Tunkhannock Borough - Wyoming County

Kick-Off Events
Norwin Relay for Life

Derry Township Agricultural Fair

YLAP in 4 Steps YesLearnActionPromote

1. YES: Contact municipalities, school districts, sports and recreation organizations about participation. Engage youth, school districts, community, sports and recreation commissions to help champion the program. 2. LEARN: Educate community leaders and decision makers about the facts. Provide resources, information and support.

YLAP Resources
Contact letters Program Description Fact Sheet Sample Policy/Ordinance Honor Roll Media release Signs

Demonstrate Community Support

Contact Letters (1st and 2nd )

School Letter and to Expand Policy

Program Description

4 Steps (continued)
3. Action: Communities develop and enact local policy, ordinance or resolution. The ordinance should include: statement that all forms of tobacco use are prohibited an enforcement plan communications plan for informing municipal staff and community. 4. Promote: Provide FREE YLAP signs and publish announcement in the local media.

Review Current Playground Policy

Provide Sample Policies

Lessons Learned
Who is the governing authority? Do they support tobacco free policies? Enforcement!
What are the penalties for violators? We cant afford to hire tobacco police! As taxpayers, our citizens have a right to enjoy a smoke in the park

Pre-emption - a legal concept where a

higher level of government (state or federal) has the authority to limit, or even eliminate, the power of a lower level of government to regulate a certain issue.

Be Prepared
Sample Enforcement Statements Talking Points to help overcome resistance.

Report Success

http://extension.psu.edu/young-lungs/honor-roll

Provide Signs
Butler County Tobacco Provider presents YLAP signs to Parks and Recreation Secretary

Monessen City Administrator

Reporting Outcomes
Data collection spreadsheet Monthly email report
Penn State Extension Technical assistance Directory of YLAP Program Assistants

Online Resources
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org American Lung Association www.lungusa.org Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids www.tobaccofreekids.org Centers for Disease Control Tobacco information www.cdc.gov/tobacco ACHIEVE communities
www.achievecommunities.org

Pennsylvania Department of Health www.health.state.pa.us www.DeterminedToQuit.com Smokefree.gov www.smokefree.gov Surgeon Generals Report-The Health Consequences of Smoking
www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/ sgr/sgr_2004/index.htm

National Recreation and Park Association

Maggie Cooper, Program Manager, NRPA mcooper@nrpa.org http://tobaccofreeparks.org

Thank You!
Karen Johnston Executive Director Healthy Communities Partnership of Greater Franklin County kpjohn.hcp@gmail.com www.hcpfranklinpa.org
Tammy M. Kreiser Tobacco Control Program Director of South Central Region American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic 3001 Old Gettysburg Road Camp Hill, PA 17011 Office: 717-541-5864 ext. 24 www.lunginfo.org

FAMILY FITNESS
What is it? What are the benefits?

The problem
Nationally the rate of childhood obesity has doubled in the past 20 years, tripled in the past 30. Currently stands at 18% The percentage of children at risk for being overweight is 30% In PA, 35% of 8th graders were at risk for being overweight or were already overweight. (1999-2001)

Health Issues
There are many medical problems related to childhood obesity; among these: High Cholesterol High BP Type 2 Diabetes And more
The longer a child is overweight the greater the risk for these and future health problems such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes into adulthood

What is Family Fitness Program

The Family Fitness Program is a research-proven program developed by Penn State Extension specialists and nutrition experts. Family Fitness, which is based on Stages of Change Learning Theory and motivational interviewing techniques, provides parents, adult caregivers, and children with the information, skills, and motivational guidance necessary to achieve diet quality and a healthy level of physical activity. Promotes positive health behavior changes to maintain a healthy weight and promote lifelong eating habits

Family Fitness
The Family Fitness Program is a nine-lesson after school program for grades 3 through 5. Children attend the program for 1.5 hour lessons to learn about making healthy food choices and ways to increase physical activity Parents attend five separate meetings (three with their child) to receive information, skills, and motivational guidance leading to improved food choices, physical activity, and family support.

Goals: This research-based program teaches participants how to:

increase fruit, vegetable, whole grain, and low-fat

dairy consumption foster positive communication and collaboration on planning and preparing healthy meals and snacks increase minutes of physical activity increase goal setting and tracking of healthy diet and physical activity help students maintain body mass index (BMI) six months post-program for overweight youth or youth at risk for overweight (longer-term goal)

Parents and Caregivers learn:

To enjoy and increase healthy food choices Improve family meals and cooperation Boost physical activity

Families participate in and receive:

o

Healthy meal planning ideas and kid-friendly recipes. Family games and activities. Setting individual and family goals and win prizes for meeting goals. Food tastings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy foods and drinks.

Families participate in and receive:

o

Parent Newsletter Series - The program provides parents and caregivers a four-part newsletter series in the first family meeting that covers family and child fitness and helps get the family motivated to participate. Parents have said they appreciate the written materials to reflect on now and to keep for future reference. Discussions with other participants and family members on healthy eating, meal and snack planning, and ways to be more physically active.

Studies have shown:

More consumption of whole grains, fruit, breakfast, willingness to try new fruits and vegetables, less higherfat and sugar foods and drinks Increased minutes of physical activity and ease of physical activity, less TV/video/computer time

Child/parent-improved communication/agreement and goal setting for healthy eating, physical activity, planning and preparing meals together, increased knowledge of Nutrition Facts labels

Successful programs
Programs have been successfully conducted over a nine-week time period (children meeting weekly; parents meeting biweekly) and a five-week time period (children meeting twice weekly; parents meeting weekly).

What adult participants have said:

"We are more excited about trying a healthier lifestyle." "We got closer as a family. She likes to make things herself and help now with cooking." "Our whole family is eating healthier, smaller portions, walking in the neighborhood." "It's fun to eat in now. My son likes to try the whole grain thing." "The class gave us the opportunity to discuss and plan healthy eating, diminished shame (and tears)."

What children participants have said:

"I eat more breakfast and exercise more. I know about healthy things in life. I feel better - much, much better." "I thought it was a lot of fun and I would like to eat good things. I would like to go next year." "I learned to eat healthy and why it's important." "It helped me with knowing nutrition facts and helping me make healthy choices and playing and being active." "I run more. I spent a little less time...watching TV."

Family Fitness Program