Managers of Fall River's public housing developments had an opportunity on December 13, 2011, to hear from Judith Coykendall of the Seven Hills Behavioral Health Tobacco-Free Community Partnership about the resources available to tenants to help them quit smoking. "I'll be sure you each have information for your tenants that explains the variety of resources now available  to anyone who wants to quit," she offered. Since everyone receiving MassHealth can have counseling and nicotine replacement therapy covered for up to two quit attempts each year, Coykendall wants to be sure people know how to get those resources when they're ready to try quitting. In addition to group and individual counseling available through Saint Anne's Hospital and Stanley Street Treatment and Resources. Since July 5, 2004, all Massachusetts workplaces went smoke-free. Recently, both Fall River hospitals and several other organizations have adopted policies that no longer permit smoking on their campuses. Coykendall introduced Kathleen McCabe from Health Resources In Action - SmokeFree Families Project and Chris Banthin from the Public Health Advocacy Institute to talk about the Boston Housing Authority's efforts to eliminate smoking from all of its public housing apartments by the end of 2012. "It's a long process," commented Chris Bantham, "but one that we've seen can be successful. Surveys show that even most smokers are in favor of it," he added.  For more information, contact Judith Coykendall at 508-995-3026.
 

(Top row) Fall River Housing Authority Director of Field Operations James Comer introduces Judith Coykendall who offers managers assistance in informing their tenants about locally-available cessation resources. (Middle row) Kathleen McCabe from Health Resources In Action - SmokeFree Families Project and Chris Banthin from the Public Health Advocacy Institute describe what is happening in other housing authorities to assist tenants with smoking issues. (Bottom row, left and right) Housing Authority staff, including Marin Vatt, Carolyn Mooney and Rita Labeau, listen to the presentation.