EPISD administrator honored for role in anti-smoking efforts
(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT — Dec. 7, 2018) -- EPISD’s own John Adams is being honored by A Smoke Free Paso del Norte this Friday for his work educating students and efforts to establish a smoke-free culture in the region.
Adams, the Director of Health, Wellness and Physical Education, is one of four regional health leaders being recognized with the Chester L. Bryant Valor Award.
“Every year, we recognize an individual or an organization for their work, this year we are recognizing the role of collective impact,” says Bill Coon, CEO of the YMCA which hosts the Alcohol and Tobacco Control Initiatives of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. “We want to recognize those who are working both independently in their fields as well as collectively within the Initiative to have an even greater impact on smoking rates and building a healthy community.”
The organization created the award in 2014 in memory of Chester L. Bryant, a strong champion of health and wellness, who was involved in the efforts on the first comprehensive clean air ordinance in Texas adopted in El Paso. Adams will be honored with Mary Morgan, Kristen Ortega and Rebecca Zima. All four individuals work in various health related fields in the region and have all contributed to the implementation and support of tobacco free policies.
“This is a huge honor,” Adams said. “I know the level of work that all organizations and individuals involved in A Smoke Free Paso del Norte do so for me to be included in this group is very rewarding. I am humbled to be honored among them.”
Adams has been actively involved in the coalition since he took over the department six years ago but he also walks the talk outside of work. It’s not unusual to hear him reminding smokers lighting up outside a public building that the city’s Smoke Free Ordinance requires them to move 20 feet away from the door.
“Research shows that second-hand smoke is almost as important as first-hand smoke,” he said. “As a smoker, they don’t have the right to potentially have a negative impact on someone’s health.”
He believes in the organization and truly hopes that it means fewer students will engage in smoking or vaping as a result of the education shared by coalition.
“This initiative is particularly important because we need to stay ahead of the trends in the tobacco industry,” he said. “As that information becomes available, we share it with our students and parents so they know what to look out for and what these devices look like and how they are being marketed to our students.”
Data shows that some students’ first experience with a tobacco product occurs in middle school.
“It’s very important for us to get the accurate information into their hands prior to them experiencing these types of decisions,” he said. “We want them to know the dangers and know it’s important to stay away.”
Photo by Leonel Monroy