Tobacco Prevention
No-Cigs for our Kids
The No Cigs for Our Kids Campaign is a multi-county campaign partnership with Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon and Ottawa Counties to reduce youth access to tobacco at area retailers. Components of then campaign include regular law enforcement tobacco compliance checks along with vendor education to retailers who want to avoid selling tobacco products to minors.
Vaping Education and Resources
We offer free presentations for parents, teens, and community groups that cover:
- What vaping is and how it works
- Health effects you should know about
- Vaping trends in Ottawa County
Our presentations are designed to give you practical information in an easy-to-understand format and are available for parent groups, schools, or community organizations.
We’ve also developed “A Guide to Understanding Vaping” – a straightforward booklet that breaks down the health risks of vaping and nicotine use among teens. It’s designed to help parents and kids have honest conversations about vaping risks. This resource is available in both English and Spanish.
Online Vape Education
Our online course, “A Guide to Understanding Vaping, “ can be completed at your convenience. To access or complete the course, create a free account here.
For free booklets, to schedule a presentation, or to assign the online education course to an individual, contact Tim Findlay, Health Educator, at tfindlay@miottawa.org or 616-393-5776.
Ottawa County Clean Indoor Air Regulation
On January 14, 2020, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approved revisions to the 2008 Ottawa County Regulation Eliminating Smoking in Public and Private Worksites and Public Places. This regulation is now titled the Ottawa County Clean Indoor Air Regulation. The purpose of this regulation is to protect public health and welfare by regulating smoking and the use of any tobacco products in public places and places of employment and recreation. The revisions provide the ability of the Sheriff’s Office to enforce these regulations and for progressive penalties for people who violate the regulation. Any individuals found in violation of the ordinance shall be guilty of an infraction, leading to a warning and fines.
If you want to make a complaint regarding a violation of this ordinance, click here.
For more information about Michigan’s Smoke-Free Air Law, click here.
Free Resources to Quit Smoking
- Holland Hospital – Leave the Pack Behind: 616-392-5141
- Zeeland Hospital – Tobacco Free for Good: 616-685-1410
- Perrigo – Discounted Nicotine Replacement Products: 269-673-9753
- Michigan Tobacco Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- My Life My Quit – Free Smoking/Vaping Help for Teens
- QuitSTART iPhone App for Teens
- Tips From Former Smokers