{"id":19209,"date":"2024-01-20T09:17:29","date_gmt":"2024-01-20T14:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/?p=19209"},"modified":"2024-01-23T09:18:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T14:18:05","slug":"henrico-parks-adopt-share-the-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/2024\/01\/20\/henrico-parks-adopt-share-the-air\/","title":{"rendered":"Henrico Parks adopt Share the Air"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Sarah Birckhead walks through Crump Memorial Park in Glen Allen on the kind of brisk sunny day where you stay bundled but really feel the Vitamin D at work. It\u2019s a good winter day for a playground. As she explores the site, a little boy runs up\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0greet her\u2014he likes making friends at the park, he says. They trade names and he shows off a small Hot Wheels ATV before racing off\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0play elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Kids like this one are exactly why Sarah\u2019s so grateful for\u00a0Henrico Recreation and Parks\u2019 new outdoor\u00a0to<\/span>bacco-free policy<\/a>. The county adopted the policy in fall 2023 with the youth-led Y Street. The movement is the largest of its kind in Virginia, and it\u2019s part of the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. Through the\u00a0Share the Air campaign<\/a>, VFHY works with event planners, local governments, and other organizations\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0create\u00a0to<\/span>bacco and vapor-free outdoor spaces across the commonwealth.<\/p>\n

Sarah is VDH\u2019s Regional Coordinator for\u00a0To<\/span>bacco Control throughout Central Virginia, and she says that Henrico\u2019s decision\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0go\u00a0to<\/span>bacco and vapor-free in its parks and recreation spaces is worth celebrating: \u201cto<\/span>bacco-free parks are a best practice for\u00a0to<\/span>bacco prevention, while protecting everyone from secondhand smoke and aerosol. It also reduces\u00a0to<\/span>bacco litter!\u201d<\/p>\n

To<\/span>bacco prevention steps are especially necessary in Virginia. The state consistently receives\u00a0failing grades<\/a>\u00a0from the American Lung Association when it comes\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0smoke free air and support for cessation\u2014the decision\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0quit smoking or using\u00a0to<\/span>bacco products. And we\u2019re one of the few states in the country that\u00a0do<\/span>es not require retailers selling\u00a0to<\/span>bacco products\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0have a\u00a0to<\/span>bacco-specific license<\/a>.\u00a0CDC estimates<\/a>\u00a0that more than 10,000 Virginia deaths in 2021 were attributable\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0smoking, and that Virginia spent more than $3 billion in\u00a0to<\/span>bacco-related healthcare costs.<\/p>\n

Sarah explains that her office \u201cworks on\u00a0to<\/span>bacco related policies that help individuals\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0quit using\u00a0to<\/span>bacco and nicotine products. 75% of Virginians who use\u00a0to<\/span>bacco products want\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0quit, so we also connect them\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0resources\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0support them in quitting for good.\u201d In celebration of Henrico\u2019s new policy, and in the spirit of the resolution season, here are some of Sarah\u2019s best tips for quitting\u2014and staying quit:<\/p>\n


Start by asking for help.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sarah knows that \u201cnicotine is a really strong addiction. So we encourage people\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0get help before they pick a quit day.\u201d She says that Virginia\u2019s\u00a0Quit Now services<\/a>\u00a0have expanded\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0include not only coaching but free patches or nicotine gum, group classes, and online resources like a personalized Quit Dashboard.<\/p>\n


Understand the health benefits.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are both\u00a0physical and mental health benefits<\/a>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0quitting, no matter how long you have used\u00a0to<\/span>bacco products or how much you use,\u201d Sarah says. \u201cYour body starts\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0heal as soon as you stop using\u00a0to<\/span>bacco products. The longer you stay quit, the more your body heals.\u201d Staying away from smoking and\u00a0to<\/span>bacco use can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and COPD. And Sarah adds, \u201cIf you already have a chronic health condition, quitting can still benefit your health outcomes and will reduce others\u2019 exposure\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0secondhand smoke<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n


Support your employees and community members by adopting your own\u00a0to<\/span>bacco-free policies.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re part of an organization or agency interested in your own\u00a0to<\/span>bacco-free policy, Sarah encourages you\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0reach out\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0VDH\u2019s\u00a0To<\/span>bacco Control Program<\/a>\u00a0at\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>baccocontrol@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a>: \u201cWe can review your current policy and see if there are ways\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0strengthen it. And we provide free signage and support\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0help your workers and visitors go longer without\u00a0to<\/span>bacco products or\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0support them in quitting.\u201d<\/p>\n


Help youth in your life stay vape and smoke-free.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sarah says that\u00a0LiveVapeFreeVA.org<\/a>\u00a0is a great source for supporting youth in not using vapes or e-cigarettes\u2014and helping them quit. \u201cWe have a\u00a0do<\/span>wnloadable discussion guide for anyone who wants\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0know how\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0start a conversation with a young person about vaping. And adults can connect with a coach for even more tips on having these conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n


Above all: be gentle with yourself and anyone trying\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0quit.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sarah knows that the new year is a big moment for resolutions and that it can be discouraging when we miss a goal. \u201cThe most important thing is not\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0give up,\u201d she says. If there is a slip up\u2014get curious about it and learn from it. And keep trying.\u00a0Quit Now Virginia\u2019s Quit Coaches and quitlines<\/a>\u00a0are here\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0support you and I know you can\u00a0do<\/span>\u00a0it!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Sarah Birckhead walks through Crump Memorial Park in Glen Allen on the kind of brisk sunny day where you stay bundled but really feel the Vitamin D at work. 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