Annette Haining, Marshall County's tobacco education coordinator, told the Board of Health on Aug. 19 that the county cargo trailer used for youth vaping education will be transferred to her program pending a contract before the county commissioners.

"So I took him up on his offer to say, sure. We'll take it for a dollar. So as far as I know right now is that mister Cerisi is doing up the contract. It'll be at the September 11 commissioner meeting. So we will be taking over the cargo trailer," Haining said. She described the trailer as an educational mock bedroom stocked with vapes and paraphernalia for parents to learn what to look for.

Background and program use: Haining said the trailer was purchased years ago with immunization grant money to support mobile immunization efforts but became primarily an educational asset. Department staff said the mobile medical unit purchased with COVID-era funds has largely taken over the department's mobile immunization work, reducing the operational need for the trailer.

Insurance and county policy were cited as reasons the trailer had previously not been allowed out of county lines. Haining said commissioners had denied a request to bring the trailer to Porter County for an event; after transfer, she expects the trailer to be available for state-level events such as the Indiana Youth Institute conference.

Operation and funding: Haining said her initiative has grant funding for two more years and that the tobacco program will assume responsibility for maintenance, fuel and insurance after the transfer. Department staff confirmed the trailer's title and ownership will be clarified as part of the contract process.

Ending: The board asked Haining to notify staff when the contract is finalized so that the department can coordinate schedules and community events that use the trailer.