TOBACCO-FREE ENVIRONMENT

The Community Health Trust also has set out to contribute to a smoke-free environment. "In each of the four areas we're taking on, tobacco use presents a significant concern," explained Steven Roth, M.D., local cardiologist and member of the Trust. "Tobacco use remains the single most avoidable cause of death. Cigarettes, the most dominate form of tobacco use, are associated with coronary heart disease, emphysema and stroke. If we can help reduce the number of smokers to just 15 percent by the year 2000, we will have made an important impact."

The Trust conducted a survey of local health depart menu and school districts to determine the

actions underway to help contribute to a tobacco-free environment in the two counties. Efforts such as educating students on the hazards of tobacco, providing smoking cessation assistance and limiting the distribution of cigarette sales to minors, are all under consideration by the Trust for possible pilot projects.

"Everyday people stop smoking. And everyday new people start. The problem is most of the new ones are kids," says Clem Ferdinando, Randolph health officer and Trust member. "Our township has taken steps to keep kids from smoking. We instituted a local ordinance banning cigarette vending machines last year, and we will be citing stores that sell tobacco products to minors under a new state law this year. It's not going to eliminate the problem, but it's a food start."