Powell River tobacco-reduction coordinator wants you to join his team

Nathan Jantz is hoping an article profiling his tobacco reduction efforts in the Powell River Peak this week will inspire people to join the Smoke Free Premises Team at the hospital (if not quit smoking entirely).

“I have a couple of people interested in being part of the Team, and will continue to recruit and reduce the smoking on site,” he said as of this week.

Nathan has been the tobacco-reduction coordinator in Powell River since last fall, but has been in the area for four years in a variety of roles with VCH (Rehab Assistant in Physio, Vocational Skills Trainer with Mental Health & Addictions).

PR lures with nature and affordable housing

Originally from Saskatoon, Nathan spent time in the Lower Mainland and moved to Powell River to take advantage of the recreational opportunities (lakes, ocean, mountain, forests, cycling and hiking trails) and the region’s affordable housing.

“It has a great community and momentum of young families,” says Nathan, whose training is in kinesiology. “You can get houses with ocean views for around $200,000.”

Passionate about preventative health care, Nathan took on the role of tobacco-reduction coordinator for two reasons.

“I am very interested in preventative forms of health care and community health,” he says.  “I believe that tobacco reduction – prevention and cessation – is the most important way we can have an impact on disease prevention, so being able to be a part of creating healthier communities this way was something I knew I could be passionate about.”

There second reason? The coordinator’s role part-time hours.

“My wife and I also run our own coffee roasting company – 32 Lakes Coffee Roasters. The coordinator job is 15 hours per week, so it allows for a nice balance between the two jobs.”