Humphreys County to Receive $37,355 in Funding to Reduce Tobacco Use

WAVERLY  – Tennessee Department of Health Deputy Commissioner Eugene Neubert will join other state and local officials on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Humphreys County Health Department in Waverly to present $37,355 in funding as part of the Tennessee Tobacco Settlement Program.

Each county in Tennessee will receive funding during this three-year program to reduce the burden of tobacco use in the state. All counties are challenged to set goals and select one or more projects that address three topics:  eliminating smoking during pregnancy; reducing infants’ and children’s exposure to second-hand smoke; and preventing child and adolescent tobacco use. Humphreys County will focus its first-year project on eliminating smoking during pregnancy.

Funding from the Tobacco Settlement was provided to the Tennessee Department of Health for fiscal years 2014-16 to address the state’s high rate of tobacco use and prevent expensive related medical costs. The plan to distribute $15 million over three years has been generated with input from all 95 counties. This plan includes a variety of projects to target behaviors designed to protect the health of Tennessee’s most vulnerable populations:  unborn babies, pregnant women and children.  

Who:  Eugene Neubert, Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Tennessee Department of Health

            Annette Haley, Mid-Cumberland Regional Health Director, Tennessee Department of Health

            Shayna Smith, Humphreys County Health Director, Tennessee Department of Health

            Jessie R. Wallace, Humphreys County Executive

What:  Presentation of Tennessee Tobacco Settlement Program funding

When:  Thursday, August 28, 2 p.m.

Where:   Humphreys County Health Department

                 725 Holly Lane

Waverly, Tennessee  37185

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Bill Christian, 615.741-2308 or Bill.Christian@tn.gov or Misty Claude, 615.650.7023 or Misty.Claude@tn.gov