Washington State Board of Health members will hear briefings on youth tobacco use and progress of the Health Benefit Exchange Board to implement health care reform when they meet Wednesday, March 13, in Tumwater.

The state Department of Health will brief the board about youth tobacco use, and a recent increase in illegal sales of tobacco to minors. A panel of representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Pierce County Anti-Tobacco Coalition, Washington State Liquor Control Board, and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office will share their recommendations and how their organizations are working to address youth tobacco use.

The board will also receive a briefing from Washington’s Health Benefit Exchange Board staff describing efforts to implement Healthplanfinder by October 2013, and what this online marketplace will mean for Washington residents.

In addition, the board will recognize Washington’s Secretary of Health Mary C. Selecky, who has announced her retirement from state service. Secretary Selecky has served on the board since 1999, and this year marks 38 years in public service.

The meeting is open to the public, who may provide testimony on any public health issue at about 10:15 a.m. Copies of the agenda and related materials are available by contacting the board, 360-236-4100, or on the Board of Health website (www.sboh.wa.gov). The emergency and media contact number for the board during the meeting is 360-701-2398.