Media Advisory

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Event to Mark One of LA County’s

First Workplace Bans on Vaping

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WHAT: A public ribbon-cutting event to mark the implementation of one of Los
Angeles County’s first strict workplace bans on tobacco smoking/vaping in all
indoor and outdoor premises at Latino Kids Health Center in Montebello.

WHO: State and local officials, anti-tobacco advocates and health care coalitions
working to end the growing deadly epidemic of flavored e-cigarette use by youth
and other vulnerable populations

WHEN: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 10-10:30 a.m. be at LKHC (Rear parking lot),
901 W. Whittier Blvd., Montebello, 90640

HOW: By implementing a comprehensive education and referral program to
assist staff, patients and the community to learn about harmful effects of tobacco products and ways to end its use in the community

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LK Health Center is Among First in LA County
To Ban Smoking & Vaping Outdoors

On the heels of the growing deadly epidemic of flavored e-cigarette use among youths and other vulnerable populations, Latino Kids Health Center (LKHC) in Montebello has become one of the first worksites in Los Angeles County to prohibit smoking and vaping on all company premises, including parking lots.

The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting 10 a.m. October 22, 2019 at 901 W. Whittier Blvd., Montebello to mark the launch of a comprehensive anti-tobacco campaign among staff and patients at the non-profit clinic. The facility serves about 4,000 patients in low-income neighborhoods in East Los Angeles, Metro Los Angeles, and the San Gabriel Valley.

“We are proud to be one of the first organizations in Los Angeles County to implement a total ban on vaping and tobacco use anywhere on our premises, including outdoor areas,” said John Kotik, chief executive officer of LKHC.

“Fifty years after we learned that smoking can be deadly, we are facing a renewed threat from the predatory tobacco industry,” he said. “We are taking a strong stand against the use and advertising of tobacco products, especially flavored e-cigarettes, which are creating a new health crisis in our community,” he said.

In collaboration with Worksite Wellness LA, LKHC is promoting free counseling and tobacco cessation medications for Medi-Cal and Medicare patients and anyone insured by a Covered California health insurance plan.
 

The new policy bans “the act of lighting, smoking or carrying a lighted or smoldering cigar, cigarette or pipe of any kind. Vaping –the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems or electronic smoking devices such as e-cigarettes, e-pipes, e-hookahs and e-cigars—is prohibited.”

Employees, patients and visitors at LKHC will be educated about the new policy and receive cessation assistance with resources and support provided by Compadres for Tobacco-Free Los Angeles County, a state-funded program aimed at decreasing tobacco-related health disparities in Latinx communities.

Compadres is a partnership of the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the American Lung Association and Worksite Wellness LA.

“We are pleased to collaborate with local, state, and national organizations to heighten awareness of the detrimental effects of tobacco and tobacco products on families,” said Debra Duardo, LA County superintendent of schools. For information and a list of resources, visit compadreslac.org

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