UW Medicine goes smoke- and tobacco-free

Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington Medical Center became smoke- and tobacco-free facilities on May 31, 2011.

All designated smoking areas have been phased out on both campuses. The two medical centers join more than half of the other King County hospitals - 13 out of 21 - that are already smoke-free.

Committees that included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, patient advisors, other staff and people who smoke spearheaded the initiative at each hospital.

UW Medicine's approach is unique in that its medical centers will systematically identify and treat patients admitted to the hospital who say they would like to quit smoking. Starting in June 2011, all patients will be screened for smoking and other tobacco use. Nicotine replacement therapy and counseling will be offered to all patients, and one-day supplies of nicotine replacement therapy will be available at cost for staff and visitors. Patients will be referred to appropriate community resources upon discharge, including the Quit Line, an effective, evidence-based tobacco cessation program available to all King County residents.

Each hospital is also providing information and resources to help staff quit smoking or remain tobacco free at work.  For more information, click here.

Adapted from UW Today.

Card-carrying shoppers now have more ways to use their credit, debit, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) monthly checks for fresh produce and other items at 10 farmers markets in King County. This first-of-its-kind project in Washington makes it possible for these farmers markets to sell their food directly to shoppers using EBT.

"Farmers markets offer some of the freshest, healthiest food available, and we want to make that nutrition available to everyone," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "Through a new partnership with the state departments of Health and Social and Human Services, low income residents now have more choices for where they can buy their food."

Until now, it has been difficult for low-income shoppers to shop at farmers markets because very few farmers had the wireless machines to accept EBT food stamp cards, and none were authorized to accept regular monthly WIC checks for fruits and vegetables.

That's all changing under a new program that will give 70,000 food stamp recipients and 20,000 women and children on WIC in south King County the opportunity to use their benefits at farmers markets.

The Farmers Market Access Project, part of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, received a grant to allow both the state WIC program and food stamps to start using these benefits at farmers markets by provide training to farmers, market managers and WIC staff.

This grant funding, part of CPPW, was also used to acquire electronic card reading equipment and create educational and marketing material for the Auburn International, Burien, Columbia City, Des Moines, Federal Way, Georgetown, Kent, Madrona, Maple Valley and Renton farmers markets.

"With our local and state partners we are increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for residents with the greatest needs in our county," said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "At the same time, we are supporting our local farmers so they can bring healthy foods to our neighborhoods for years to come."

Twenty of the 40 farmers markets in King County can accept Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for transactions.

To find a farmers market in King County, visit http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org.

The policy is consistent with the revised Washington State School Director Association's model policy for tobacco-free schools.

Four members of the Ballard High School Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) group spoke in support of the new policy. They specifically addressed the loophole issue, saying that they don't think that students should be able to use e-cigarettes and spit-free smokeless tobacco on school grounds.

Seattle Public Schools joins at least four other Washington school districts in taking this action: Edmonds, Battle Ground, Camas and Ridgefield. Puget Sound Educational Service District is working with eight other King County school districts to enact similar policies.

To learn more, contact Lindsey Greto.

The Washington State Tobacco Quit Line has been dramatically reduced due to state budget cuts. The robust benefits, once available statewide, are now only available for certain populations.

This is a big loss for our state. In the last six years, the Washington State Tobacco Quit Line helped more than 89,000 residents become free from tobacco. In just the last year, the Quit Line served 23,000 tobacco users and connected more than 18,100 people to tobacco cessation benefits through their health plan or employer.

But as of June 22, Quit Line services are no longer covered for the general Washington population. However, many people in Washington are still eligible for benefits, including King County residents, some adults on Medicaid, and adults whose employers or health insurance covers phone-based cessation counseling.

The King County benefit is funded through the CPPW initiative and includes a call with a Quit Coach for all adult residents. Other populations in King County have additional benefits, including pregnant adults, uninsured adults, adults covered by non fee-for-service Medicaid, adults referred by the Veteran's Administration, and adults covered by Indian Health Services. 

Anyone who wants to quit should call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to determine if benefits are available. For more information, please contact Lindsey Greto at Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program, visit www.quitline.com or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to speak with a Quit Line representative. You can also visit the King County Tobacco Prevention Program website for more information.

Has your CPPW project been in the news lately? Send us the clip.