January 15, 2008
Tobacco Summit comes to Bethel next month
In 1998, the City of Bethel became the first community in Alaska to clear the air by passing an ordinance banning smoking in public buildings and workplaces. To honor Bethel's commitment to community health, the Alaska Tobacco Control Alliance will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the state's first community clean air act by hosting the second annual ATCA summit meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 5-6, 2008, in Bethel.
The two-day ‘summit' at the Piciryarait Cultural Center is open to the general public and features a 10-year retrospective on the effects of Bethel's ordinance addressing clean indoor air and worker health.
Other presentations include community wellness and tobacco, the Alaska Tobacco Quit Line, best practices for comprehensive tobacco programs, and state and community interventions. There also will be panel discussions on youth prevention, cessation, tobacco tax tools and passing a local tax, and community prevention. Tuesday's agenda begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday's agenda begins at 9:15 a.m. and ends after lunch.
Help celebrate Bethel's 10th anniversary of the clean indoor air policy, earn nursing CEUs and learn about other efforts in addressing tobacco issues in Alaska and around the nation. Plan to attend the potluck reception and awards program on Tuesday, February 5 at the Cultural Center and bring traditional food to share. The awards presentation includes announcement of the winners of the youth poster contest and fiddling music by the Slough Beat Band.
For more information on the Alaska Tobacco Control Alliance and to register for the 2008 Summit, contact Brenda Holden of ATCA Administrative Support, Information Insights, in Fairbanks at 450-2452.
You can access more information about the Tobacco Summit and download the agenda at: http://www.alaskatca.org/.
