FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Heather Krause

Monday February 26, 2007. 330-270-2855

MAHONING COLUMBIANA AND TRUMBULL DISTRICT BOARDS OF HEALTH RECEIVE GRANT FOR TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAMS

CHECK PRESENTED BY SENATOR JOHN BOCCIERI (D-33^rd) AND

REPRESENTATIVE MARK OKEY (D-61st)

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (FEBRUARY 26, 2007) – The Mahoning Columbiana and Trumbull District Boards of Health announced today they are the recipients of additional funding for local tobacco control programs from the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF). This new grant will continue to fund high quality prevention and quit assistance throughout the Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull county region.

During a ceremony today at Mahoning County District Board of Health offices, Senator John Boccieri (D-33^rd) and Representative Mark Okey (D-61^st) presented a check for $216,145.00 to Matt Stefanak, Mahoning County Health Commissioner. The three county boards’ of health formed the Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull Coalition with the commitment of making this a tobacco free region. Through this grant, they will promote tobacco prevention programs aimed at smokers and their families, schools, health care professionals and students.

“We were pleased to have Senator Boccieri and Representative Okay share this award with us today,” said Mr. Stefanak. “Without their support of the Foundation and tobacco control in the community, this program would not be possible. Programs like ours have played a significant role in Ohio’s changing culture and the reduction of tobacco use, especially in the Mahoning Valley.”

OTPF’s grants support tobacco use prevention and cessation services in local communities statewide. The 50 community grants recently awarded by the OTPF Board of Trustees totals over $12 million and are for one year.

About the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF)

The Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF) was created by the Ohio General Assembly in 2000 and is funded with monies secured from the national Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between tobacco companies and 46 states. OTPF is charged with reducing tobacco use among Ohioans, with an emphasis on youth, minority, and regional populations, pregnant women and others who may be disproportionately affected by the use of tobacco. OTPF programs include the distribution of community grants, the operation of the Ohio Tobacco QUIT LINE at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, and stand, Ohio’s tobacco use counter-marketing campaign. For more information on OTPF, go to www.otpf.org. Or visit OTPF’s youth web site at www.standonline.org or the Ohio Tobacco QUIT LINE web site at www.ohioquits.com.

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