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"Encouraging teens to live tobacco-free is part of our comprehensiveprogram to improve the health of all Michigan residents," said Lynda Rossi,Blues vice president of public policy and social mission. "We want to do allwe can to prevent youngsters from facing serious health conditions later on inlife. Blues efforts to improve the health of young people range from tacklingteen tobacco use to our commitment to the state's MIChild program, whichprovides health and dental coverage to eligible children."
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High school students are a key group in which to reduce the harmfuleffects of tobacco use, smoking and secondhand smoke. According to the 2004Michigan Youth Tobacco Survey, 80 kids try their first cigarette in Michiganevery day and another 50 become daily smokers. It also shows that 17 percentof high school students are smokers.
High schools participating in the Blues program have chosen from a varietyof activities to promote smoke-free environments. Some students are creatingcoupon books giving discounts at smoke-free restaurants or presenting plaqueshonoring those restaurants. Others are conducting surveys of smoke-freeapartment buildings and hope to encourage apartment owners to launch smoke-free policies. Still others are producing reports to businesses on theeconomics of going smoke-free.
The high school campaign is just one part of the Blues' comprehensivetobacco prevention efforts. BCBSM has partnered with the American LungAssociation of Michigan and Tobacco Free Michigan (tobaccofreemichigan.org), agrassroots organization dedicated to promoting tobacco-free environments andimproving the health and quality of life for Michigan residents througheducation and advocacy.
The Blues also are among a growing list of companies across Michigan andthe nation that have broadened their policies from prohibiting smoking intheir buildings to establishing smoke-free campuses. The Blues prohibitsmoking and the use of tobacco products by employees and visitors on allcompany property, including its outdoor campuses, whether owned or leased. Theaim is to improve the health and well-being of all individuals at Bluesfacilities. With such efforts, it joins with other companies in the Campaignfor Smokefree Air (makemiairsmokefree.org), a Michigan coalition.
BCBSM and its affiliated HMO, Blue Care Network, offer resources to helpmany of their health plan members quit smoking through "Quit the Nic," anaward-winning program available to many employer groups with Blues coverage.Participants receive telephone support, educational materials andopportunities to work with a health coach about how to kick the habit. Healthcoaches help develop a plan of action, establish a quit date and serve as asupport system by offering encouragement, answering questions and evaluatingprogress. Blues members can enroll in "Quit the Nic" by callingBlueHealthConnection(R) at 800-775-BLUE (2583).
Throughout the current school year, 12 grant recipients are managing the27-school campaign with Blues grants ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 plusrequired matching funds. They are:
Grantees were selected based on their previous success in initiatingsmoke-free worksite policies in their respective communities. Along withpolicy and education-based activities with students, the grantees arecoordinating a counter-marketing media campaign as part of the campaign.
At each school, teens are involved in peer-to-peer education and leadingyouth advocacy efforts as part of the American
