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Many earned recognition in Genesee County on April 28 for supporting anti-tobacco efforts. They are credited with helping reduce smoking and were honored by Smoke Free NOW, Reality Check, the School Policy Program and the Cessation Centers.

The following were recognized for having a written policy requiring that their apartments be smoke free:

• Charlotte Crawford, Batavia
• John and Gina Pestillo, Batavia
• Mark and Tammy Schmidt, Batavia
• Pete andSue Sherman, Pavilion
• Worth Harder, Batavia

The following were recognized for passing resolutions encouraging tobacco-ad-free magazines and smoke-free movies:

• Alexander PTA
• Batavia Student Improvement Team
• Batavia District Wide PTA
• Elba BEST (Building Elba School Together)
• Liberty Partnership LIFE (Liberty Increase Future Experiences) Program
• Pavilion PTO

The following were recognized for having a policy to not accept tobacco company advertising, sponsorship, promotion or funding:

• Batavia ATOP (All Types of People Living Chemically Free)
• Batavia Catholic Youth Organization
• Batavia High School Ice Devils
• Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home
• Byron Bergen SADD
• Christmas in the City
• Drug Free Marshals of WNY
• Everyday Heroes of Genesee County
• GCASA Awards Dinner
• Genesee Co. Nursing Home Child Care Center
• Genesee Countywide SADD
• HE Turner & Co. Funeral Home
• LeRoy Physical Therapy
• LeRoy Village Fitness
• Liberty Partnerships LIFE
• National Night Out of Batavia
• Pavilion SADD
• St. Joseph's Penny Carnival
• SUPA (Students United for Positive Action)
• Terry Hills Golf Course & Country Club

The following were recognized for passing a resolution encouraging tobacco retailers to reduce, rearrange, or eliminate tobacco advertising-organizations:

• Batavia ATOP
• Byron-Bergen SADD
• Drug Free Marshals of WNY
• Genesee County Youth Bureau
• Genesee Co. Interagency Council
• Genesee Countywide SADD
• Lake Plains Community Care Network
• Liberty Partnerships LIFE
• Pavilion SADD

The following municipalities were recognized for passing a resolution encouraging tobacco retailers to reduce, rearrange or eliminate tobacco advertising:

• Town of Bethany
• Town of LeRoy
• Village of Alexander

These school districts were recognized for having a memorandum of understanding to work toward best practices in regard to tobacco policies:

• Batavia City Schools
• Pavilion Central School

The following were recognized for being 100% smoke free:

• United Memorial Medical Center

Each year in New York State, about 25,500 people die from smoking-related illnesses.  And for every eight smokers who die, they take a nonsmoker with them from exposure to
second-hand smoke. In addition, taxpayers in New York spend $5.4 billion on
Medicaid just for smokers¹ smoking-related illness.

Nationwide, 1,200 people die from smoking every day and 53,000 dying every year from
second-hand smoke.

Those wishing information about how to quit smoking may contact the New York
State Smokers' Quitline at 1-866- NY QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or at
www.nysmokefree.com

Most New York smokers are eligible to have four weeks' of nicotine
replacement therapy (patch, gum, or lozenge) mailed directly to their homes
at no cost.