Smoke-Free Jackson County

Kellie Lamb would like to see smokers in Jackson County put their cigarettes out. She'd also like to see smokeless tobacco users throw away the can or pouch. Lamb, the health promotions coordinator for the Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition for Jackson County, says her mission of educating the public about the health risks of using tobacco is more than a job. "Thirteen Mississippians die a day from smoking," said Lamb. "I went into this field and especially tobacco education because I have a passion for promoting a healthy lifestyle. "I also take pleasure in working with children as well as interacting with the general public, so while I do that I can spread a healthy message." Funded by a grant from the Mississippi Department of Health, Lamb recently met with 28 children at the Mary B. Ruddiman Unit of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Jackson County. The hands-on presentation is part of Red Ribbon Week, the national drug prevention initiative. Red Ribbon Week presentations began two months of an ambitious campaign of public awareness for Lamb. She will continue making countywide presentations to adults and children throughout November with the onset of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 17. According to the Mississippi Department of Health website, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. In this state, 4,700 adults die each year from smoking, and 192,000 children are exposed to secondhand smoke at home. The state health statistics say treatment of tobacco-related diseases costs Mississippi $264 million each year in direct Medicaid costs. Lamb wants to see all counties in Mississippi, especially Jackson County, become completely smoke free. "Everyone deserves to breathe smoke-free air," she said. "There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke." Lamb thinks the most effective smoke-free ordinance a city can have is one that eliminates secondhand smoke in all public places. "Analyses of revenue from sales tax and hospitality tax in Hattiesburg, Starkville and Oxford demonstrate that sales in the restaurant sector of the local economy continued to grow after implementation of smoke-free ordinances," Lamb said. "Kwitzky's Dugout, Ocean Lanes, Mediterraneo Restaurant, The Office and SOS Daiquiri Bar and Grill have gone smoke-free on their own initiative in Ocean Springs," she said. While Lamb has not spoken with any elected officials in Jackson County about implementing smoke-free ordinances, she does have a plan. "I have just recently taken over in this position in Jackson County, but I do plan to speak to each individually to educate them on the dangers of secondhand smoke," she said. "I do plan to make a presentation to the city council when the time is right."