OSAGE NATION

COMMUNITIES OF EXCELLENCE

TOBACCO PREVENTION PROGRAM

The Community Tobacco Control Program is a collaboration between the Community Partnership Board and the Osage Nation. This program is funded through the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust was established through a constitutional amendment approved by Oklahoma voters in November 2000. While most state governments have failed to keep their promise to use tobacco settlement funds for tobacco prevention and other programs to improve health, Oklahomans have created an endowment to assure that funds will be available for these purposes for generations to come.

This program is in the middle of the third year of the implementation phase of a five-year grant cycle. During the implementation phase we have five priority areas that have to be addressed: 1) Eliminate Secondhand Smoke Exposure, 2) Prevent Youth Initiation, 3) Promote Tobacco Cessation Services, 4) Reduce Tobacco Industry Influences, and 5) Social Capital Assets. Our aim with this grant is to bring together health groups to work on health issues affected by tobacco usage in Osage County. As we continue our second year of implementation we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Osage Nation WIC, Osage Nation Head Starts & Daycares, and United Community Action Head Starts in bringing the Smoke-Free homes program to the families of Osage County. This program addresses the risks secondhand smoke presents to our families, especially infants and small children. Another continued area of emphasis in our second year of implementation will be in youth prevention, we will be providing leadership opportunities and training with our S.W.A.T. program. We are proud to announce the Osage Nation Tobacco Prevention Program offers three separate cessation workshops a week for those needing assistance to quit smoking.