Mission:
The Tobacco Prevention and Control
Program’s mission is to provide information, education, resources and technical support
to Snohomish County communities and partners in order to build capacity to advocate for
social change regarding tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.
Tobacco Quit Line:
The quit line is free, available to anyone who needs it, and, most importantly, it works.
Research shows that using quit line services improves the success of people trying to quit
by almost 20 percent. The quit line's highly trained specialists provide each caller with
individual support, including advice on creating a customized quit plan and skills designed
to break old habits.
Information
Toll-free
Spanish Line
Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing
DOH Resource Line (I-901)
One-half of all teens who smoke start by the age of 14 and 10% start between the ages of 9 and 10.
Over 90% of people who smoke started prior to age 18, most were still in high school. TPCP is working
to prevent the initiation of tobacco use among youth through the following activities:
Teens Against Tobacco Use (T.A.T.U.): TATU is a peer education program. Middle and
high school students are trained in media literacy, tobacco and health advocacy, and
presentation skills, enabling them to discuss issues with their peers and younger
students.
Tobacco Awareness Education: Interactive presentations to schools, youth clubs,
and community organizations on media literacy and tobacco industry. Tobacco Trivia Quiz
Community Advocacy: Activities to counter massive tobacco industry efforts to
recruit smokers. Projects are youth/community-based and address local issues.
Youthlink Newsletter: Click here for the most
recent edition of Youthlink, a quarterly publication written for
intervention specialists, counselors, teachers and other adults working with youth.
Cessation
Adult Cessation: Call the Snohomish County Tobacco Resource Line at
(425) 339-5237 for a free copy of "Before You Quit Smoking, a 2-week Plan" or
for registration information on a Quit Smoking Classes in Snohomish County.
Interested in quitting smoking? Call the Washington State Quit Line for a free Quit Kit and to find out
if you are eligible for free nicotine patches!
Health Provider Trainings: Helping our patients to quit tobacco using Motivational Interviewing. (CME/CEU approved - training
offered at your location at your convenience). Included are Washington State Quit Line promotional materials for your patients.
For more information call (425) 339-8634.
Secondhand Tobacco Smoke
Secondhand tobacco smoke (SHTS) also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a mix of
smoke coming from the end of a burning tobacco product and smoke exhaled by smokers. This
complex mixture has more than 4,000 chemicals, 50 of which are known to be probable human
cancer-causing agents. In early 2005, the California Air Resources Board (Cal EPA) identified
ETS as a toxic air contaminant for which there is no safe level of exposure. People exposed to
SHS are more likely to develop a host of preventable diseases including lung cancer,
coronary heart disease, and breast cancer, especially in younger, primarily premenopausal
women. The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP) staff at Snohomish Health District (SHD)
works to reduce or eliminate exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke from indoor and outdoor public places.
Here’s how:
Media Campaign: Snohomish Health District enhances Washington State's secondhand smoke
media campaign through a local public awareness campaign about SHTS. Billboard, bus boards, and
theater ads give the message that secondhand tobacco smoke is harmful to children and that adults
should smoke outside their homes and cars. Because their lungs are not fully developed, young
children are particularly susceptible to secondhand smoke. Exposure to SHTS can raise a child's risk
of developing ear infections, needing tubes in the ears, developing asthma or making asthma attacks
worse, developing bronchitis, needing tonsillectomies, and dying of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Free packets of information are available to Snohomish County residents that include an air freshener,
refrigerator magnet, and a smoke free pledge card. Call (425) 339-5279 for more information.
[ Read More... ]
Tobacco-free Parks: The tobacco-free parks project began in 2001 as a joint effort between local
communities and Snohomish Health District. Now 14 Snohomish communities as well as Snohomish County have
adopted resolutions declaring their park facilities to the "tobacco-free for our kids." The campaign
seeks to educate the local community about the harmful effects of SHTS and to provide a healthy environment
for kids, families and all park users. When kids see a park free of smokers, they are more likely to
recognize this as the norm. Snohomish Health District has assisted in this effort by providing city
council members and parks board members with examples of existing tobacco-free parks policies and
helping them work through the process of adopting tobacco-free parks proclamations. Staff help promote
the new policy by jointly writing media releases, purchasing large metal signs for the park district to
post, getting youth involved, and planning a kick off ceremony that included cake and punch as well as
give-aways. For further information about how to implement tobacco-free parks in your community,
call (425) 339.5279. [ Read More... ]
Enforcement of Washington's Clean Indoor Air Act (RCW 70.160): The TPCP is the enforcement
agent in Snohomish County for implementing Washington's new Clean Indoor Air Act. In November 2005, Washington voters passed
Initiative 901 by 63%. The measure passed in every county in Washington. This comprehensive measure to
protect workers and the public from the devastating health effects of secondhand smoke went into effect
on December 8, 2005, and cleared the air in ALL Washington workplaces including bars, taverns, restaurants,
bowling alleys and truck stops. In addition, smoking is now prohibited within 25' of all doorways, entryways,
windows that open, and ventilation intakes of public places and workplaces. Click here to read more
information about the law and see downloadable signage that is required to be posted in all businesses. A downloadable
email form for reporting a violation of the law is also available. In addition, a report of a violation can
be made by calling Snohomish County Tobacco Resource Line at (425) 339.5237.
Policy Education: The TPCP works to educate policy makers and elected officials of Snohomish County
about the dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke. Our goal is to build capacity and create public policy change
to reduce and/or eliminate exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. A bi-annual newsletter provides Snohomish
County leaders with updated tobacco prevention and control information and resources.
Click here to read the latest issue.
Call (425) 339.5279 for more information.
Outreach to veterinarians and pet groomers with information that SHTS is dangerous for pets as well as people.
Click here for Vet poster
Resources:
National Center for Chronic disease Prevention and Health Promotion www.cdc.gov/tobacco
Snohomish County Tobacco Resource Line (425) 339-5237
Retailer Education
Compliance Checks: Trained youth attempt to purchase tobacco products to
ensure retailer compliance with the State Minors’ Access to Tobacco Law.
Checks are conducted in cooperation with the Washington State Liquor Control
Board. Call Chris Wick at (425) 339-8632 if you are a Snohomish County youth
and would like to help with compliance checks.
