Kane County providing funds for projects to fight smoking, vaping
The Kane County Health Department is making funds available for organizations to provide anti-smoking and anti-vaping policies, educational campaigns and services to help people quit using the products, officials said Monday.
Through the Health Department’s Tobacco Control and Prevention Program, the health department is able to help provide workplaces, schools and health care providers with funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“Our goal is to keep people from starting to smoke or vape and to provide resources to anyone who is trying to quit using these highly addictive products,” Kane County Health Department Executive Director Michael Isaacson said in a statement. “Additionally, we want to create environments that protect everyone by reducing exposure to smoking and vaping.”
Applications for funding are being accepted through Jan. 31, and are available online at kanequits.com.
County businesses and organizations can apply for up to $750 to cover the costs of anti-smoking and anti-vaping policy development, signage and resources for employees to quit using the products. Middle and high schools can apply for up to $2,000 for educational campaigns and initiatives.
Health care organizations are eligible for $3,000 to make tobacco cessation resources available to their patients.
Health officials said tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States.
In Kane County, 9% of eighth-graders reported using electronic cigarettes within the past year. The rate reporting use within the last month - 5% - is significantly higher than the national average of 3.3%, officials said.