Annual KCSP conference recognizes local policymakers and advocates for leadership in creating smoke-free communities

The University of Kentucky College of Nursing’s Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy (KCSP) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (KTPC) celebrated tobacco-free successes statewide and discussed how tobacco control efforts can align with age-friendly communities at the 2023 Kentucky Tobacco Control Conference: An Intergenerational Exchange.

The conference took place on April 13 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington. The conference featured an awards ceremony to honor advocates and city officials who are leading the way to enact smoke- and tobacco-free policies that advance healthy environments for Kentuckians.

The conference brought together health advocates from across the Commonwealth and hosted local and national speakers on health equity, youth empowerment, coalition building, media advocacy and the tobacco industry.

Conference speakers included:

• Commissioner Victoria Elridge, Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living;
• Laura Poskin, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh;
• Tori Brown, Allison Clabes, Jasmin Hernandez, Chilota Iloegbunam and Kosi Iloegbunam, #iCANendthetrend Youth Advisory Board;
• Minou Jones, Making It Count Community Development Corporation;
• Daniel Hatcher, Alliance for a Healthier Generation;
• Sarah Story, Purchase District Health Department; and
• Commissioner Steven Stack, Kentucky Department for Public Health.

“Our vision for a tobacco-free Kentucky will take dedication from all sectors of the community, policymakers at all levels, and people of all ages,” said Ellen Hahn, professor and director of BREATHE at the UK College of Nursing. ”So many devoted advocates of all ages and organizations are blazing new trails to take down the massive health and economic costs from tobacco use in Kentucky."

The following awards were presented:

• The cities of Dayton and Bellevue received the Everette Varney Smoke-free Indoor Air Excellence Award for their exceptional leadership and collaborative efforts in promoting the health of their citizens by enacting comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinances.
• Sherrie Stidham and Tara Vostad with the Kentucky River District Health Department each received the Lee T. Todd, Jr., Smoke-free Hero Award for their courage, leadership, perseverance and continuous commitment to smoke- and tobacco-free environments in the face of adversity.
• The #iCANendthetrend Youth Advisory Board including Tori Brown, Allison Clabes, Jasmin Hernandez, Chilota Iloegbunam, Kosi Iloegbunam, Matthew Sanders, Saumya Sikhwal, and Sarah Umbarger received the Smoke-free Youth Advocate Award for excellence in promoting secondhand smoke education and smoke-free policy.
• Knott County Schools received the Tobacco Free Campus Award for their exceptional leadership and collaborative efforts in promoting healthy campus environments by implementing a 100% tobacco-free campus policy.
• The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council received the Timothy W. Mullett, MD, Lung Cancer Prevention Award for their leadership, devotion and passion toward preventing lung cancer through policy change in tobacco control.
• Gary Hall, Health Educator II at the Green River District Health Department received the David B. Stevens, MD, Smoke-free Advocate of the Year Award for excellence in promoting secondhand smoke education and smoke free policy.

Sponsors for the 2023 KY Tobacco Control Conference were UK HealthCare, Kentucky Health Collaborative, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, Kentucky Asthma Management Program, Kentucky Voices for Health, Passport by Molina Healthcare, and Interact for Health.

As part of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing’s BREATHE team, KCSP promotes healthy environments and lung health to achieve health equity through research, community outreach, advocacy and policy development (@kysmokefree). Click here for a map and list of smoke-free ordinances in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is responsible for developing and operating state public health programs and activities for the citizens of Kentucky. DPH’s mission is to improve the health and safety of people in Kentucky through prevention, promotion and protection.

The Kentucky Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (KTPC) in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services aims to reduce preventable and premature deaths attributed to tobacco use by implementing programs to decrease tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. This includes local and statewide programs encouraging youth not to use tobacco products and helping those who want to quit in doing so (@KyTobaccoFree).

This story was originally published on UKNow.