Henry & Stark County Health Department

The Henry and Stark County Health Department and co-sponsor, Hammond-Henry Hospital announce they are pleased to offer a "Freedom From Smoking(R) Class." The program is a 7-Week (8 sessions) evidence based smoking cessation program from the American Lung Association.

Carrie Boelens, Community Health Educator with the Health Departments notes, "Freedom from Smoking (R)" is designed to provide the best possible information and supportive educational materials. The program offers a systematic approach to quitting. There is a logical progression from awareness of smoking dependence to actual behavior change. The program has a positive focus and emphasizes the benefits of better health and improved lifestyle habits. The activities provide individuals who smoke with proven strategies for changing their behavior and lifestyle."

The group will meet Tuesday evenings, January 3rd - February 14th (also Thursday, January 26th) from 5:30-7:00pm at the First Lutheran Church, 114 E. Main St., Geneseo. Freedom From Smoking (R) is open for participants over the age of 18. A $25 registraton fee includes all educational supplies and materials for the program.

Boelens adds, "In addition, Nicotine Replacement Therapy will be complimentary for all participants. Methods such as nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges will be provided. We're also now pleased to offer the prescriptive smoking cessation product Chantix for $25 per month. Numerous past participants have been sucessful utilizing Chantix to support their journey to becoming tobacco free."

As one past participant noted, "The interaction among other participants, information from the class, and the availability of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy made for a successful combination for me to finally kick the habit after 40 years of smoking."

Space is limited for this program. To register or receive information about the upcoming sessions, please call Carrie Boelens at (309) 852-7255.

For the second time this year, an IDPH Administrative Law Judge has found the owner of a Kewanee bar guilty of violating Section 15 of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act.

The Henry County Health Department received a final ruling from the Illinois Department of Public Health affirming that Zepha Hutchison, d/b/a Flat-Trackers in Kewanee, committed violations of the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Zepha Hutchison was cited for failing to reasonably assure that smoking is prohibited in an indoor/public place. This is the third time she was found guilty of the same violation. Bartender Melinda Hutchison was also cited for smoking in a place of employment. Both were ordered to pay fines of $250 and $100, respectively.

On September 17, 2011, a hearing was held in Peoria before Administrative Law Judge John G. Abrell. The Health Department was represented by Assistant State¹s Attorney Brian Kerr. According to the Final Order dated October 31, 2011, Judge Abrell found Zepha Hutchison to be in violation of the Smoke Free Illinois Act and the IL Dept. of Public Health affirmed that finding.

The Smoke Free Illinois (SFI) Act went into effect January of 2008 to protect the public from the harmful effects of exposure to tobacco smoke.

To comply with the law, the person who owns, operates, or otherwise controls a public place or place of employment must assure that smoking does not occur inside their business, or within 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes. ³No Smoking² signs that comply with the law must be posted at all entrances and exits, and ashtrays removed from all areas where smoking is prohibited. Customers and employees must be informed that the establishment is smoke-free. Fines are assessed at $250 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and a $2,500 minimum fine for all subsequent violations within one year of the first violation.

Health Department Administrator Gail Ripka is very pleased with ruling by Judge Abrell. "Our staff continues to be persistent with efforts to enforce the Smoke Free Illinois laws in Henry and Stark Counties through surveillance, inspections and issuance of warnings and/or citations. The successful outcomes of SFI hearings are due to the full support and outstanding representation by the Henry County State's Attorney's office."

The Health Department has contracted with an Enforcement Officer since October 2010 to conduct SFI compliance checks, follow up on complaints and issue citations as necessary. More than 40 compliance checks have been made so far this year. The most common violation noted during a compliance check is that ³No Smoking² signs are not posted at all entrances and exits.

Initially, the facility owner/operator is sent a warning letter along with SFI information and two "No Smoking" signs that comply with the law.

However if, subsequent compliance checks find that "No Smoking" signs have not been posted, the facility may be issued a citation.

Dorothy David, Environmental Health Director, states that "Our goal is to ensure that businesses and food service facilities are in compliance with the SFI law so that Henry and Stark County residents can enjoy public facilities and workplaces that are smoke free. Although a few bars continue to violate the law, the majority of facilities are in compliance and provide a smoke-free environment for their employees and customers."

Smoking complaints can be filed with the Illinois Department of Public Health on the Web at www.smoke-free.illinois.gov or by telephoning the Department¹s toll-free Complaint Line at 866-973-4646. Complaints also can be made to the Henry and Stark County Health Department at 309-852-0197.

To ensure that bars and restaurants are in compliance with the Smoke Free Illinois Act (SFIA) in regard to outdoor patios or other designated outdoor smoking areas, Henry and Stark County Environmental Health Inspectors want to remind businesses and proprietors of the following SFIA requirements:

A proprietor may designate an area as an outdoor patio where smoking is permitted only if the area:

* Is 15 feet or more from entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed are where smoking is prohibited.

* Is a contiguous area of a place of employment or public place;

* Is controlled by the proprietor of the place of employment or public place;

* Has at least one side that consists of a) open space; b) permeable material c) a combination of open space and permeable material;

* Smoke from the open area may not be permitted to drift/infiltrate into an indoor workplace or public place through entrances, windows, ventilation systems or other means.

* If partially enclosed, the space may not trap smoke.

SMOKE FREE ILLINOIS ACT ENFORCED

The Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health has ordered the owner of a Kewanee bar and grill to pay fines totaling $500 for violating the Smoke-Free Illinois Act.

The Henry County Health Department recently received a final ruling from the Illinois Department of Public Health affirming that Zepha Hutchison, d/b/a Flat Trackers in Kewanee, committed violations of the Smoke Free Illinois Act. On two separate occasions, the Health Department staff issued citations to Ms. Hutchison for failing to reasonably assure that smoking is prohibited in an indoor/public place.

On November 10, 2010, a hearing was held in Peoria before Administrative Law Judge John G. Abrell. The Health Department was represented by Assistant State's Attorney Brian Kerr, and Attorney Daniel O'Day represented Zepha Hutchison d/b/a Flat Trackers. According to the Final Order dated January 14, 2011, Judge Abrell found Zepha Hutchison to be in violation on both 3/19/10 and 5/5/10 and the IL Dept. of Public Health affirmed that finding. Fines totaling $500 were also affirmed. This order is a final administrative decision within the provisions of the Smoke Free Illinois Act and is not subject to the Administrative Review Law.

The Smoke Free Illinois (SFI) Act went into effect January of 2008 to protect the public from the harmful effects of exposure to tobacco smoke.

To comply with the law, the person who owns, operates, or otherwise controls a public place or place of employment must assure that smoking does not occur inside their business, or within 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes. "No Smoking" signs that comply with law must be posted at all entrances and exits, and ashtrays removed from all areas where smoking is prohibited. Customers and employees must be informed that the establishment is smoke-free. Fines are assessed at $250 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and a $2,500 minimum fine for all subsequent violations within one year of the first violation.

Health Department Administrator, Gail Ripka is extremely pleased with the ruling by Judge Abrell. "Our staff has been persistent in their efforts to enforce the Smoke Free Illinois laws in Henry and Stark Counties through surveillance, inspections and issuance of warnings and/or citations.

However, we could not have succeeded at this hearing without the full support and outstanding representaton by the Henry County State's Attorney."

To step up enforcement efforts, the Health Department contracted with an Enforcement Officer to conduct SFI compliance checks, follow up on complaints and issue citations as necessary. As a result, five citations have been issued, tow in Henry County and three in Stark County. The alleged violators will be scheduled for prehearing conferences with the Administrative Law Judge. During the prehearing conference, the judge will set a hearing or status date and make whatever other orders are necessary.

The owner of Flat Trackers must pay the fines by February 15, 2011 or their food service Permit to Operate will not be renewed.

The Henry and Stark County Health Department staff realizes that many of us have made New Year's resolutions. Studies have shown that most resolutions address some aspect of improving our overall health. One of the most popular health resolutions made is the desire to quit smoking in the coming year. If this is your resolution, the Health Department reminds you that we have a smoking cessation program. This is a joint effort by the Health Department and the Illinois Tobacco Quitline/American Lung Association Helpline. The program is available to residents of Henry and Stark County that desire assistance with smoking cessation efforts. The service is open to participants age 18 and older; as well as, those under 18 with a physician's order and parental consent.

How do you participate? It's easy. You simply call the Quitline at 1-866-QUIT-YES or 1-866-784-8937. The Quitline will send out an informational packet to participants. In addition, Quitline will provide free phone counseling to participants and instruct them on any follow up concerns.

The Health Department will provide patches, gum, or Chantix (prescription required) to clients, free of charge or at a reduced rate, as advised by the Illinois Tobacco Quitline.

The New Year can be a great opportunity to start fresh. And New Year's resolutions can be a powerful tool to give your health a big boost - and improve your whole life. If you are a smoker, who really wants to quit and just needs a little support, let the Health Department and Quitline help you meet your goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. For more information call the Health Department at (309) 852-5272 (Main Office), (309) 792-4011 (Colona Office) or (309) 852-3115 (Stark County)