Published: September 28, 2008 09:02 pm      

Reed wants to snuff out chronic clean air violations

BLUEFIELD — More than three years after the passage of a clean-indoor air ordinance in Mercer County, sporadic smoking violations continue to be reported at businesses across the region.

That’s troubling to Donald Reed, who is returning Oct. 1 following a one-year absence to the position of director of the Southern Coalfields Tobacco Prevention Network. Reed said the coalition is planning a campaign to remind area residents of the clean-indoor air ordinance.

“We still have some businesses that are in persistent non-compliance,” Reed said. “So the coalition is actually going to increase their efforts. The health department is in charge of the enforcement. The coalition is in charge of the education component.”

Because the coalition covers six counties — Mercer, McDowell, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming — Reed said coalition members in each county will be charged with visiting area businesses to remind them of existing clean-indoor air ordinances.

“Coalition members in each county will be going back to the majority of the businesses to remind them of the regulation, and provide them with more signage,” Reed said. “It’s just an effort to let them know we are still here.”

Reed said one problem area is local gas stations — a place where folks shouldn’t be smoking anyhow due to fire dangers.

Reed said another area of concern for the coalition is promoting tobacco-free recreational facilities. That includes expanding educational efforts in McDowell County.

“In McDowell County, we would like for the recreational facilities owned by the cities — Welch, Anawalt and Iaeger for example— we think we should set the example for our children, and those should be alcohol, drug and tobacco-free zones,” Reed said.

Reed said the coalition also will continue its efforts to educate area youth about the dangers of tobacco usage while also working to make sure that existing tobacco users have the appropriate resources necessary to help them quit.

“To borrow from the American Legacy Foundation, we are trying to create a world where youth reject tobacco, and all tobacco users have the appropriate resources to quit,” Reed said.

Reed said the West Virginia Tobacco Quit Line remains operational to help smokers and tobacco users break their habit. Reed said the toll-free number is 877-966-8784.

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com