Kosciusko County Health Department Clinical Services Division has partnered with Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition to help Kosciusko Hoosiers be more aware of the dangers of tobacco use, secondhand smoke, and to provide prevention resources to the youth of the county.

The Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition is housed with the health department at 1515 Provident Dr. in the K21 Health Services Pavilion. Dan Gray, director of the coalition, stated, “With the new office, the coalition is able to establish a base to work from to better serve the communities in the county.”

Gray has worked in the county for the past year to introduce services to health care providers and businesses in the county. Gray also expressed that Kosciusko County’s tobacco use is higher than the state and national percent totals.

The state tobacco use is 21.2 percent, the national rate is 17.9 percent while Kosciusko County is at 24.8 percent. These numbers are based from the Tobacco, Prevention and Cessation Commission of Indiana Department of Health.

Gray stated that we need to do what we can to get Kosciusko County below the national average. Robert Weaver, administrator and chief scientist of the Kosciusko County Health Department added, “Protecting and improving the health of every Kosciusko resident is the desire of the health department. The work of the Tobacco Free Coalition can help make that happen.”

There are cessation classes offered at the YMCA that provide instruction for a total body recovery. The Sensational Cessation classes provide exercise, diet, stress release techniques, along with the cessation instruction. The next five week class starts Feb. 20. Call the Y for registration.

There is also a toll free number that offers free cessation over the phone, 800-QUIT–NOW. The coalition has resources for businesses and any health care provider that is interested in helping their employees and patients to quit tobacco.

To contact Dan Gray for any help or for questions call, 260–571–2464.