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June 7, 2004

MEDIA ADVISORY

TO: News Directors, Editors

FROM: Patty McQuillan

Public Information Officer

RE: Reducing Tobacco Sales to Minors

Regional Forum – Winston-Salem

A regional forum on reducing tobacco sales to minors will be held Tuesday, June 8, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hawthorne Inn, 420 High Street, Winston-Salem.

The forum brings together law enforcement agencies, substance abuse and public health professionals and retailers to help local efforts in reducing youth access to and use of tobacco products. The main topic will be working with retailers and law enforcement.

The Alcohol Law Enforcement Division and the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission are co-sponsoring the forum.  The trust fund was created by the General Assembly in 2000 to allocate a portion of North Carolina's share of the national tobacco settlement. The commission has invested $55 million to support preventive health initiatives and $78 million to fund a prescription drug assistance program.

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Editors’ note: For more information, contact John Simmons, 919-733-4060.

Directions:

Heading East From Asheville/Statesville

Head East on I-40, then continue East on Business 40 into downtown Winston-Salem.

Take the Cherry St. Exit (5-C) onto High St. The front entrance of the hotel is immediately on your right.

Heading West From Raleigh/Greensboro

Take I-40 West, then take Business 40 split (Exit 206) into downtown Winston-Salem.

Take the Cherry St. Exit (5-C) onto Cherry St.

Turn left at the first traffic light onto 1st St.

Turn left at the next traffic light onto Marshall St.

Cross over Business 40 and through the next traffic light.

As you head downhill, the hotel’s rear parking entrance will be on your right. Turn into the parking lot and drive around the building to the hotel’s front entrance.

Heading South From Wytheville

Head South on Highway 52 to downtown Winston-Salem and take the exit for 3rd, 4th and 5th Street.

Turn right at the top of the ramp onto 5th St. Stay on 5th St. through downtown and turn left onto Marshall St. Your landmark for this turn is the Benton Convention Center on your right.

Take Marshall St. until it crosses over business 40 and go through the next traffic light.

As you head downhill, the hotel’s rear parking entrance will be on your right. Turn into the parking lot and drive around the building to the hotel’s front entrance.

Heading North From Charlotte

From I-85 north take the Highway 52 exit.

Then take the exit for Business 40 West (109B).

Take the Cherry St. Exit (5-C) onto Cherry St.

Turn left at the first traffic light onto 1st St.

Turn left at the next traffic light onto Marshall St.

Cross over Business 40 and through the next traffic light.

As you head downhill, the hotel’s rear parking entrance will be on your right. Turn into the parking lot and drive around the building to the hotel’s front entrance.