The Putnam County Department of Health undertakes several tobacco and vaping prevention and cessation programs. Among them is the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA) program. ATUPA aims to reduce or eliminate the number of underage individuals purchasing tobacco products. Most adults who smoke started in their teens, so preventing teens from starting is key to having fewer adult tobacco users and a healthier Putnam County. Public Health Sanitarians Lesliann Piraino and Andrea DeMarchi facilitate the ATUPA program, which employs, trains, and supervises underage youth to conduct compliance checks at Putnam County tobacco retailers. Find out more about them below. 

What is your favorite part of working at the health department? 

LP: Even though there are approximately 60 employees in the health department, it is still small enough to know your coworkers and form working relationships, even if you are in a different section than your coworkers. 

AD: My favorite part of working at the health department is providing guidance and education to our residents and operators. 

Is there a particularly rewarding experience you’d like to share? 

LP: I enjoy having a working relationship with facility operators. With Putnam being a small county, you can build relationships that last for years. 

AD: One of the most rewarding experiences in my career so far was being here during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our department truly came together to prevent the spread of the virus.  

What does your day-to-day work look like? 

LP: At the health department, I work in many programs other than ATUPA. My days are a mix of all the different programs I am involved in, and depending on the season, some programs are more demanding than others. 

AD: Every day is unique. There are some days I am glued to the phone investigating possible rabies exposures and other days I am in your favorite restaurant’s kitchen ensuring that the food workers are properly cooking and cooling their soup du jour and other menu items. Most days you can see me out in the community doing some type of inspection whether it be a temporary residence, a summer camp, or a vape/tobacco retailer. 

What do you wish the public knew about your job? 

LP: The work we do isn’t easy. Regulations guide a lot of the work, and sometimes there isn’t a clear-cut regulation that will lead to the desired outcome or answer a specific question.  

AD: I wish the public knew how hard we work behind the scenes to prevent minor issues from becoming public health emergencies. We have one of those jobs that people would only see the impact if we weren’t here and by then it’s too late. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?  

LP: Active listening and clear communication can help you be more productive and work more efficiently. 

AD: “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” The people who you surround yourself with will have a profound impact. I’ve found that I am the best version of myself when I am surrounded by good, driven, and intelligent people. 

What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career? 

LP: The job is not linear. It is important to grow and evolve with the work that is being done. Regulations are constantly changing and regulations from 20 years ago might not be used today.  

AD: Stop and listen. Get all the details before you make a decision. 

If you use tobacco products and are ready to quit, help is available. For resources and free nicotine replacement therapy any time, please visit https://nysmokefree.com/ or call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). The health department also offers Freedom From Smoking, a tobacco cessation program usually held twice per year. If there are no courses being offered, click here to fill out a form to help us plan our next Freedom From Smoking class if you are over 18. The health department is also able to offer N-O-T: Not On Tobacco, a tobacco cessation program developed especially for teens. If you are 18 and younger and interested in an N-O-T course, click here to complete a form to help us with planning.