Prime Time of Morgan County Inc. will receive $73,200 this year from Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation to reduce tobacco's toll on Hoosiers in Morgan County.

ITPC, funded by a portion of dollars from the master settlement agreement with the tobacco industry, is sending more than $7.5 million in grants to local programs across the state. A lead organization for each of Indiana's 92 counties coordinates local-level partnerships to support prevention and cessation programs in its community. These community grants are an integral part of ITPC's comprehensive programming to prevent young people from starting the habit and to help adults quit. Grants will be awarded over two years. "We know that people at the local level can provide solutions that will help their neighbors quit smoking and prevent them from starting," ITPC Executive Director Karla Sneegas said. "We've focused on sending dollars to community programs that can directly impact people's struggle with tobacco addiction and educate them on tobacco's toll on Hoosier health." Each grant award was based on the community group's plan to address four intervention areas: Build strong community-based partnerships including diverse partnerships. • Protect Hoosiers from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. • Reduce youth initiation and access to tobacco. • Promote and use cessation resources. Indiana ranks fourth among states for smoking. This is the reason ITPC's programming is designed to reach a wide audience of Hoosiers. Other segments of ITPC's efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use include a statewide advertising and media campaign that began in November, law enforcement regarding youth access to tobacco and statewide youth activities. ITPC was created with funds generated by an agreement between 46 state attorneys general and the tobacco industry and by legislation enacted by the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Frank O'Bannon. Its executive board is comprised of 22 members appointed by the governor and is charged with administering a budget of $32.5 million in fiscal year 2002.

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