The Ohio Department of Health and the Healthy Ohio initiative recently awarded six area health care providers with a cooperative 2010 Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Grant.

We are exceptionally pleased to have been awarded this grant and to have the opportunity to reach the area's school-aged children with prevention measures, as well as cessation programming for individuals who are currently smoking," said David Pollick, Health Commissioner, Sandusky County Health Department.

The health departments will focus on youth prevention, while the hospitals are focusing on tobacco cessation programs. The Botvin LifeSkills Training Program will be presented to schools

"The program is free to schools and will address alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and other skills necessary for making healthy decisions," Tim Hollinger, Health Commissioner for the Huron County General Health District, said.