Tobacco-Free Programs Implemented

The Grenada School District and the MS Tobacco-Free Coalition (MFTC) of Grenada, Yalobusha, and Calhoun Counties will continue the implementation of the tobacco-free program for the 2011-2012 school year. The grant was written and submitted by Dr. Sandra Howell, Grenada High School Assistant Principal and funded by the MS State Department of Health. The goals of the program are to reduce tobacco-related disease and death by educating children, teens, and adults about the dangers of tobacco, to encourage communities to implement smokefree ordinances, and to promote tobacco cessation services. The MTFC Director is Sue Mashburne of Grenada.
The tobacco-free program focuses on implementation of classroom curricula within the school systems of the three county area. The program consists of the RAT (Reject All Tobacco) for grades K-6 and Generation FREE for grades 7-12. Students participate in innovative learning experiences to ensure they are equipped with information to make healthy decisions such as Red Ribbon Week, Kick the Habit Day, and conferences that provide team-building, leadership, and advocacy skills.

In community outreach, the program provides educational
experiences for faith-based organizations, Boys and Girls Clubs, summer reading programs, and participates in community-wide events such as Relay for Life, health fairs, area festivals, and assisted city governments in the passing of smokefree ordinances. The Grenada School District and the MTFC congratulates Calhoun City for passing a Comprehensive Smokefree Ordinance this year! The goal of the MTFC is to save lives through education and to provide resources to decrease tobacco-related illnesses
.
According to statistics, tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States. Cigarettes contain more than 7,000 harmful chemicals and at least 69 are known to be cancer-causing. Approximately 20% of Mississippi youth are regular tobacco users and roughly 33% of these users will die prematurely due to smoking-related illnesses. In addition, there is no safe level of second hand smoke. Statistics report that 510 Mississippians die each year from exposure to second hand smoke.

For more information about the tobacco-free program, please contact the MTFC Director Sue Mashburne at 662-226-2589.