Volume 10 | August 2019
#BreatheEasySutter
The mission of the Sutter County Tobacco Control Program is to
improve the health of Sutter County residents by reducing chronic
disease, illness, and premature death attributable to the use of
tobacco products through policy, systems, and environmental
changes.
The Sutter County Health Department wants to know your opinions about stores in the community and proposed changes. Please take a few minutes to take the Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community Survey.
Is Your Child Vaping? Know the Signs
Do you notice artificial smells from behind closed doors like candy, popcorn, vanilla or fruit flavoring?

Are there school supplies or tech products you don't recognize in kids' backpacks or rooms? How about small vials or eye dropper bottles?

Have you come across unfamiliar chargers, coils, or batteries?

Are there any unfamiliar charges on credit card statements?

Have there been changes in your kids' behavior such as increased mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or impulsivity.

Are your kids suffering from more frequent headaches or nausea?

Check out this video and hear the youth perspective on vaping: JUULERS against JUUL

Download the guide and learn steps to end the youth epidemic. The guide includes

  • How to talk to kids
  • What to do if your teen is addicted
  • How to get schools on board
  • Quick facts on nicotine and adolescence
  • Activities to do with teens

For more information go to FlavorsHookKids.org
One Year Anniversary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) smoke-free properties rule!

On July 31 st of 2018 public housing authorities began implementing the new rule to bring smoke-free air to the homes of millions of Americans. Sutter County Public Health’s Tobacco Control Program has been there along the way to offer technical assistance in the form of training, resource materials, signage, and other information to help implement their policies in a manner that is supportive of all residents.

However, the new HUD rule does leave some gaps in protections. For instance, resident with Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and mixed finance properties are not covered. The Sutter County Tobacco Control Program continues to receive many calls from seniors with secondhand smoke complaints at these types of properties, and it’s disheartening to tell them that they are not covered by HUD’s new smoke-free rule.

What can we do going forward?

We will continue to encourage and provide support to affordable housing properties and municipalities that would like to enact smoke-free multi-unit housing laws designed to provide all residents with a healthy living environment.

We can't do this alone, we need the help of the community. We invite you to join the Smoke-Free Workgroup and help all residents of Sutter County breathe clean air in their own homes, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Contact Brian Cowan at bcowan@co.sutter.ca.us for more information about the smoke-free work group.


Check out this video about a tenant’s secondhand smoke policy initiative …another victory! 
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When you think of smoke-free outdoor dining policies what do you think of? Secondhand smoke protection for customers, kids, and other at-risk populations? Perhaps better tasting food for smokers?

One aspect of a smoke-free outdoor dining often left out of the picture is the enormous benefit that these policies bestow on staff workers of restaurants and bars. Staff that are required to wait tables in outdoor smoking areas are exposed to the same cancer causing toxins that smokers breathe in. However, they don’t get to leave when a meal is finished. Exposure to secondhand smoke continues for these workers hour after hour and day after day.

Although California law bans smoking and vaping inside of restaurants and bars, many Sutter County residents who find themselves in outdoor dining areas are still exposed to disease causing smoke and aerosol.

There are currently 116 municipalities that have enacted comprehensive outdoor dining laws to protect their residents from secondhand smoke exposure. Not only do these laws even the playing field for businesses but they improve the health of both customers and staff.

If you are interested in more information on Smoke-free Outdoor Dining policies, please contact Sutter County Public Health. Call (530) 822-7215 or visit us at www.suttercounty.org/tobacco

The Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods Coalition (HSNC) is dedicated to creating a healthy and safe community by reducing risk factors and increasing
protective factors. Due to the alarming rise in ecigarette use among young people the coalition's current priority issue is protecting youth from nicotine
addiction.

The Coalitions priority issue this year is to reduce youth tobacco use and access through community education, advocacy and policy. The tobacco industry is targeting a new generation of kids with flavored tobacco products, low prices, easy access, and new electronic devices and the Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods Coalition is dedicated to protecting the youth in our community from a life-long nicotine addiction.

To find out how you can get involved please visit HSNCoalition.org
Student Advocates for Sutter County
 
The mission of Student Advocates for Sutter County is to initiate, coordinate, and sustain prevention efforts that promote healthy lifestyles through education, promotion, and advocacy work.

What is the Purpose?
 
  • Advocate for healthy policies
  • Education peers & community about healthy behaviors
  • Conduct local surveys and community assessments
  • Prevent tobacco use

Why Should I Join?
 
  • Community service opportunities
  • Build resume
  • Skill building
  • Make new friends
  • Advocate for change!

Who Should Join?
 
Sutter County youth, in Grades 9-12, who are committed to Creating a Healthier Sutter, sharing their youth voice & gaining advocacy, policy & health education skills. 

If you are or know of a young person high school aged who would be interested in participating in the Student Advocates for Sutter County, please visit our website SutterCounty.org or contact Tammy Andersen at (530) 822-7215 or tandersen@co.sutter.ca.us
Vaping is a Youth Epidemic "We must take action now to protect the health of your nations young people".

- U.S. Surgeon General
Sutter County Public Health | Tobacco Control Program | (530) 822-7215
1445 Veterans Memorial Circle Yuba City, CA | SutterCounty.org
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