Tobacco Violations

In the spring of 2008, Iowa lawmakers passed legislation to protect employees and the general public from secondhand smoke. The Smokefree Air Act prohibits smoking in almost all public places including enclosed areas within places of employment, as well as some outdoor areas.

The law applies to restaurants, bars, outdoor entertainment venues and amphitheaters. It also covers places of employment such as office buildings, health care facilities, and child care facilities. Smoking is however allowed on the gaming floor of a licensed casino, as well as designated hotel and motel rooms.

If you have witnessed a violation of the smoke-free air act you can submit a complaint. To do so visit the state website at: www.iowasmokefreeair.gov and click on submit a compliant. You can then submit a compliant in confidence, the public domain or anonymously.

Coalition Meeting This Week

The May SAFE Coalition Meeting is tomorrow:

Tuesday, May 19th
2:00pm
Bonaparte Opera House

Topics include:
Coalition Academy
Data Compilation
Training Opportunity- Underage Drinking Conference
Merchant Alcohol Training
Semi-Annual Progress Report

All meetings are opened to the public and anyone interested in coalition initiatives is invited to attend!

Underage Drinking Conference

The 2009 National Leadership Conference- or- Underage Drinking conference information is now online! Information may be found at: www.udetc.org. Details are:

Dates: August 13 & 14th
Location: Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center- Dallas, TX
Info: This year’s theme is: "Beyond Boundaries: Timely Trends and Technology". We are offering plenary sessions, workshops, and experiential learning exercises that will provide you with real-life experience, skills, and tools that can be used to enhance both local and more far-reaching efforts. With a focus on new and innovative methods and resources, this year’s Conference offers participants in-depth knowledge that will make a real impact on your efforts to enforce underage drinking laws in your States and communities!

The SAFE Coalition will be taking 3 adults and 2 youth to the conference this year as funding allows. If you are an adult who is interested in attending this conference please contact Heidi at 319-293-6412. If you are a youth interested in attending this conference contact Melissa Daugherty and she will provide you with an application.

Check out our pictures!

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition and the VB Co. JEL organizations have been very active over the last few months. Photos from many of the coalition activities can be found on our flickr site at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vbcosafe.

Letters from a 5th grader

This week coalition coordinator Heidi Bainbridge will be visiting the 5th grade classrooms in the county. She will be asking each 5th grader to write a letter to a senior asking them to be alcohol-free during graduation season. These 5th graders heard from deputy Tharp just a few short weeks ago so the dangers of alcohol use should still be fresh in their minds.

The letters will be presented to all graduating seniors at their senior awards day. Copies of each students letter will also be kept in a file until they reach graduation age and will be returned to them at that time- to remind them why they should be alcohol free during their own graduation.

For more information on this activity you may contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412.