For immediate release: September 27, 2007 (07-161)

Contacts:
 Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077

Community leaders recognized for tobacco prevention work
Secretary of Health presents awards for outstanding contributions in public health

OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health honored five organizations and two individuals this week with Selecky Awards for outstanding achievements in tobacco prevention and control. The awards are named after Mary Selecky, who has made tobacco prevention a top priority during her eight-year tenure as Secretary of Health.

"As long as tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in our state, local prevention and control efforts like these will remain essential to saving lives," said Health Secretary Mary Selecky. "I congratulate all the award winners. Together we’re making a difference and ensuring people have the information and resources they need to make healthy lifestyle choices."

In the last six years, state and local tobacco prevention and control efforts have contributed to a drop of about 50 percent in overall youth smoking and about 24 percent in adult smoking. The following Selecky Award recipients have played a large role in this success:

STAT is a committed, energetic group of Spokane teens that have taken the lead in local tobacco prevention activities. Working closely with local media to put the spotlight on tobacco issues, STAT recorded two "No Stank You" youth prevention radio messages that aired in Spokane County. STAT participates in regional and statewide events and activities and is a recognized inspiration for other youth across the state due to its unique level of dedication and impact.

A prevention and cessation specialist at South Sound High School, Patty May has consistently gone above and beyond her daily duties to promote tobacco education and prevention at Lacey’s alternative high school. Patty created an after school "quit class" for students and turned events like the Great American Smoke-Out into extensive outreach activities at the school. Patty was recently asked to become the diversion provider for the entire North Thurston School District.

The Bremerton NAACP is recognized for its consistently innovative and energetic approach to tobacco prevention and cessation, including their successful "Not in Mama’s Kitchen" community training and their partnership with Kitsap County’s diverse health outreach efforts. Adult activists are joined by local NAACP youth who have performed the "Tobacco Monologues," bringing a healthy message to young people in the state and at a national level. In addition, chapter members have influenced both national NAACP health policy as well as state policy through participation on the Governor’s Council for Health Disparities.

Gary Conner, TV assignment editor for KOMO 4 News, plays a significant role in determining what stories are covered and reach KOMO audiences. With a history of promoting healthy lifestyles and providing viewers with important public health information, Gary Conner and the KOMO 4 news team often air stories that help educate and inform the public about the dangers of tobacco use. They truly recognize the important role that news coverage plays in providing information that people can use to make healthy choices.

In August of 2007, Guardian Management became the country’s largest private property management company to implement an indoor and outdoor smoking ban on its properties – including properties in 11 Washington cities. With 1,500 units smoke-free, Guardian’s decision will protect thousands of Washington residents from exposure to deadly secondhand smoke.

Before and after the passage of Initiative 901, the Yakima Health District worked diligently to educate restaurant and bar owners, conduct site-visits and answer questions regarding the law. After two years of complaints about smoking at a local club, the Yakima Health District prevailed in its efforts to bring the establishment into compliance, becoming a model of diligence and perseverance for other health districts.

With a long-time commitment to adolescent health and parent education, Melinda Harmon embraced new methods of reaching populations targeted by the tobacco industry. Melinda used media literacy programs long before they became an established method in youth tobacco prevention, and also established El Centro de la Familia, a Latino tobacco outreach program in the Kitsap Health District that is considered one of her finest achievements. This award is presented posthumously to Melinda, an innovator and leader throughout her 20-year career in public health.

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