FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 6, 2006

Marion County mayors proclaim Great American Smoke Out

MARION – To encourage safe and healthy work environments for employees of the cities of Marion and Mullins, and the towns of Sellers and Nichols, four Marion County mayors have proclaimed Nov.16 as Great American Smokeout Day, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.

“The Great American Smokeout Day is an annual event held nationally that challenges people not to smoke cigarettes for 24 hours, hoping it will last forever,” said La’Nell Williams, health educator with DHEC’s Region 4 Chronic Disease and Risk Reduction Program. “We are pleased that Marion County officials agreed to join us in promoting a healthier, more productive workforce.”

Mayors Bobby Gerald of Marion, Kenneth McDonald of Mullins, Louvenie Shipman-Wright of Sellers and James Little of Nichols coordinated with DHEC to designate city government facilities as smoke-free, both indoors and out, for the Nov. 16 observance.

“While both municipalities have current indoor smoke-free policies, smokers are allowed to smoke on the outside grounds of the buildings,” said Williams. “DHEC will provide smoke-free signage and information from the American Cancer Society to be attached to pay stubs of the estimated 100 full- and part-time workers. Decorative jars of candy were provided to municipal employees to use as a replacement instead of tobacco products.”

To learn more about Great American Smokeout Day, healthy policy or environmental changes, contact Williams at (843) 661-4728.

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For more information:
Missy Reese – (803) 934-2880
E-mail – reesemb@dhec.sc.gov
or
La’Nell Williams – (843) 661-4728
E-mail – willial3@dhec.sc.gov