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Articles written by Sandi Gubel


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  • Letters to the Editor

    Sandi Gubel|Jun 24, 2021

    Editor: During June, which is National Healthy Homes Month, I would like to commend three local entities for providing housing that is healthier, safer and cleaner because they are going tobacco-free. A few years ago, Sanders County Community Housing Organization (SCCHO) adopted a smoke-free, tobacco-free policy for their duplexes in Plains. Tobacco use is not allowed in the housing units, as well as on the properties. This limits the exposure of other tenants to the harmful chemicals in secondhand and thirdhand commercial tobacco smoke. There...

  • Park board designates tobacco-free zones

    Sandi Gubel, Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist|Aug 27, 2020

    Sanders County high school students “vape” even more than Montana teens on the average. Forty-three percent of Sanders County high school students reported using electronic vapor products in the 30 days before the January 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, administered every two years by the state Office of Public Instruction. The survey revealed a statewide average of 30%. Nationwide, the average for teen “vape” use at that time was 28%. This young age group is particularly likely to take up electronic vapor product “vaping,” as well as oth...

  • Many moms decide to 'bump' tobacco habit

    Sandi Gubel, Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist|May 21, 2020

    Mothers-to-be should “bump” their tobacco habit. Before pregnancy is best, but the sooner they can, the better. Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals, which contribute to heart disease, stroke, lung diseases and many kinds of cancer. Add a baby into the equation, and it isn’t just a mother’s health at risk anymore, but also their baby’s. Having a healthy baby is why medical professionals encourage pregnant women to stay smoke-free, or to become smoke-free. At 14%, our state has one of the highest smoking-while-pregnan...

  • Teen shares vaping struggles with area schools

    Sandi Gubel|Oct 10, 2019

    Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist The need to fit in socially is powerful. The need for teens to erase stress is mighty, too. To address these things, "straight A" student Luka Kinard started using chew tobacco, then cigars and combustible cigarettes, then progressed to other dangerous substances. Then, thinking he was choosing something healthier, he started "vaping" electronic cigarettes. He entered the world of Juul. Juul, the e-cigarette company that holds 75% of the market,...

  • Advocates challenge people to be 'Through with Chew'

    Sandi Gubel|Feb 21, 2019

    by Sandra Gubel Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist Are you up for the challenge? In current commercials and advertising, 30-year rodeo champion Heath Ford is featured urging people to “Be Rodeo Tough. Quit Tobacco.” Smokeless tobacco is a dangerous form of nicotine addiction, which puts Montanans at risk of cardiovascular disease, oral cancers, diabetes and severe periodontal damage. Join with people across the nation this week – Feb. 17-23 – to quit smokeless tobacco and give yourself the gift of health. “Through with Chew Week 2019...

  • When it comes to tobacco, it's OK to be a quitter

    Sandi Gubel, Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist|Dec 27, 2018

    Every year, thousands of Montanans look to the New Year for a fresh opportunity to change their lives for the better. For Montanans who use tobacco, a great way to accomplish this is to quit for good. While some people have been able to quit completely on their own, others have found – using some of the same principles as with Weight Watchers and 12-step programs – that they are encouraged by support from friends. The Montana Tobacco Quit Line and American Indian Commercial Tobacco Quit Line do just that. The quit line programs offer free ser...

  • NHS students learn tocbacco dangers

    Sandi Gubel|Mar 29, 2018

    Health. Epidemics. Statistics. Tobacco use. Kaitlynd (KT) Todd, 23, is studying epidemiology (the study of epidemics) and biostatistics (the study of health statistics) as a master of public health student at University of California-Berkeley. As a college student, she is also in the Truth Initiative's fellowship program. Because she cares deeply about the impacts of tobacco on health and environments, she shared last week with Noxon High School students, how she has pursued all of the above....