RHINELANDER - Oneida County becomes the lead agency for a six county coalition to help the Northwoods become tobacco-free.

The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program recently gave $140,000 to the Multi-Jurisdictional Coalition.

Niki Kostrova is the Tobacco Coordinator for the Oneida County Health Department.

Kostrova says the money is important to help local businesses, and people, transition into the Smoke-Free Air law that starts July 5th.
Niki Kostrova, Tobacco Coordinator, Oneida County Health Department, says, "Without this grant we would not have had any tobacco positions throughout any of the six counties. So, this enables us to provide the assistance that we need especially going into the smoke-free air law."

The funding will also be used to reduce youth access to new and existing tobacco products.

The six counties in the Multi-Jurisdictional Coalition are Oneida, Florence, Forest, Lincoln, Price and Vilas.