Recent Graduate Helps Izard County Implement Smoking Ban - January 21st, 2010
Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Hunter Caraway, in accordance with the city of Melbourne, saw an opportunity to extend the smoke-free message within Izard County. As of November 24, 2009, a ban was established on smoking within 20 feet of all city-owned playground equipment. Learn more about how Hunter’s initiative helped provide a healthier environment for children and families.
A Coalition on the Move
Hunter Caraway, a 2009 graduate of Arkansas State University earned a bachelor’s degree in health promotions. He was hired in mid-July as the Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for Izard County and his perspective on negative effects of tobacco have taken on a whole new meaning. His days are busy meeting all the hometown health coalition members, grantees, administrators, and health care professionals. He is dedicated to spreading the tobacco-free message in his community.
Born and raised in a family of tobacco users, Hunter knew the challenges he was about to face would be difficult. He was told by many to just keep quiet and be mindful of the community “I could’ve just given up right then and there,” stated Hunter, “ but with the kind advice from Mr. Ray Edwards (Northeast Arkansas Grantee Administrator) and Mrs. Treva Englehardt (Izard County Health Unit Administrator and Coalition Chief), I was taught the proper ways to respond to the situation. Currently, all seven of Melbourne’s city council members are non-smokers, and I knew that it would be tough to push a campaign strictly targeted toward adults because of Izard County’s history with smoking.”
In his quest, Hunter studied Melbourne’s city park policies regarding playgrounds and noticed no current policies in place that protected children from the effects of secondhand smoke. After the completion of his research, Hunter developed a smoking ban and fact sheet providing information to the city of Melbourne and why the policy should be adopted. Hunter reached out to Mayor Mike Cone and all the council members after which, a slot on the council’s agenda was scheduled, and on November 24, 2009, the city of Melbourne unanimously adopted a No Smoking Buffer Zone within 20 feet of all city-owned playground equipment. Since the approval, signage has been placed at all locations to enforce the ban and provide healthier environments for families and children of Izard County.
With the help of the Izard County Hometown Health Coalition, Hunter developed a citywide smoking ban near playgrounds in Melbourne.
Melbourne City Council
November 19, 2009
Issue: Smoking ban near playgrounds in the city of Melbourne
Recommendation: The Izard County Hometown Health Coalition urged the mayor and city council to pass this policy based on recent health discoveries regarding the dangers of secondhand smoke, and the recent changes nationwide in public policies concerning community health. The coalition recommended banning smoking within 20 feet of playground sites at all city of Melbourne parks and facilities. The new policy would apply only to smoking near playgrounds, and not entire areas or privately owned open space areas.
Public Information: When the mayor and city council approved the policy, the following measures would be applied to inform the city of Melbourne.
- A moderate sized sign or signs will be posted at selected sites, stating along the lines of this message: “Children Playing-Please-No Smoking Within 20’ of Playground Area.”
- Policy will be released in all local media outlets.
- Policy will be placed in parks’ rules and regulations.
Local Enforcement: The Izard County Hometown Health Coalition firmly believes that the effectiveness of the smoking ban will hinge upon self-enforcement by park and facility users, along with all other park rules and regulations. The Coalition also believes that most citizens will adhere to the smoking ban simply because of the ease of compliance. If the sheriff’s department receives complaints about non-compliance of the policy, the same appropriate action used to enforce all other park rules and regulations can and will be applied for the smoking ban.
