Hein, Provenzano named “Tobacco-Free Community Champions”

KINGSTON – HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley’s Tobacco Free Action Communities program in Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan counties has named Ulster County Executive Michael Hein and former county Legislator Jeanette Provenzano “Tobacco-Free Community Champions” for spearheading a major effort to protect county youths  from exposure to tobacco marketing near schools.
“The work County Executive Hein and former Legislator Provenzano have done to make our county a healthier place to live, work and play is an outstanding example of community leadership at its very best,” said TFAC Director Ellen Reinhard.
Their efforts led to a county law that took effect January 1 requiring retailers selling tobacco products to be licensed by the county and prohibiting such licenses for retailers operating within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school in the county.
Retailers operating within those bounds that possessed valid state tobacco sales registration certificates before January 1 are exempt from the school proximity law, but must still apply for a county license to sell tobacco.