Anti-smoking efforts are charging ahead in Herkimer County.

Recent initiatives include a new smoking cessation class, a coordinator for a tobacco prevention program for teens and a survey on attitudes toward tobacco-related issues in the county.

A recent survey of Herkimer County adults on behalf of BRiDGES Tobacco Prevention shows support for policies that would restrict tobacco sales, marketing and secondhand smoke exposure.

Angel Ramirez didn’t know anything about lead — until inspectors found it in the three-unit dwelling he bought on Watson Place in Utica two years ago. Ramirez, who has an infant and a toddler, has made a point of learning about it ever since. He started by taking classes on how to mitigate lead.