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Board approves state tobacco and vaping funds, expands outreach to Elbert County
Summary
The board approved accepting state funds received since December, including Proposition EE tobacco funds to expand vaping prevention work. Staff said additional tobacco money will support community health educators and campaign materials across Douglas and Elbert counties.
The Douglas County Board of Health approved the department's acceptance of state funds received since December, a package the director said included more than $90,000 in tobacco-related dollars and additional funds tied to Proposition EE for vaping prevention.
Laura Larson, assistant director for community health, and Jenny Fisher, community health educator, told the board the tobacco grant money supports personnel costs for community health educators (three FTEs with broader prevention duties and one FTE dedicated to Elbert County), quit kits, outreach at community events, QR-coded resource cards linking to quit lines and teen-vaping prevention materials, web content and a new podcast produced with NAMI ADCO focused on teen vaping.
Larson said the county's expanded funding allows a stronger focus on vaping products (including tobacco pouches) as a delivery system and on targeted education in Elbert County through an existing regional partnership. Director Hill said the department will track outcomes and suggested later briefings on program effectiveness.
Following public questions about how the funds will be spent, the board moved to accept the funds and recorded a voice vote in favor. The director noted that the tobacco-derived funds are state-directed and include deliverables; county staff said they intend to offset county expenses where possible and to emphasize evidence-based prevention activities.
