Description:  The overall goal of the Tobacco Control Program of the Monterey County Health Department is to reduce tobacco use and influence social norms towards a tobacco-free Monterey County. Strategies for 2007-2010 include encouraging compliance of existing state and local codes regarding tobacco advertising and promotion at retail stores in the City of Salinas and two other cities within the Salinas Valley in south Monterey County. Ten multi-unit housing complexes in the cities of Salinas, Greenfield, Gonzales, King City and/or Soledad will voluntarily adopt policies that designate smoke-free common outdoor areas and/or individual units in multi-unit housing complexes. Additionally, to encourage at least three local jurisdictions in the Salinas Valley to establish a tobacco retail licensing policy that will include a fee sufficient enough to conduct regular compliance checks. To meet the priority population objective, the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Monterey County will recruit new members from the predominantly Latino residents of the Salinas Valley to provide an accurate representation of Monterey County demographics.

Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Monterey County:

• 2010 Meeting Schedule

To join the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Monterey County or for more information, please call (831) 796-1268.

Funded by the California Department of Health Services, Tobacco Control Section under Contract #07-27.

Media Coverage:

• Monterey Bans Smoking on Recreational Trail February 3, 2010
   
• Smoking Banned in Carmel Parks, by Mary Brownfield, The Carmel Pine Cone, November 9, 2007
   
• Beaches Butt Out, by Dave Nordstrand, The Salinas Californian,
  February 8, 2006
   
• No Butts About It:  Carmel Bans Smoking on Beach, by Victor Calderon, The Salinas Californian, November 7, 2005
   
• Carmel Beach Going Smoke-Free, by Kevin Howe, The Monterey County Herald, November 4, 2005

  Resources:

• Resources for Smoking Cessation
   
• California Smoke-free Workplace Law Description

  Designated AB-13/3037 Enforcement Agencies in Monterey County
  We take a multi-level approach by strengthening individual knowledge and skills, provide community awareness and education, train and increase capacity of providers, foster coalition building, change organizational practices and influence policy and legislation.

  Links:
  • American Legacy Foundation - a public health foundation committed to decreasing the use of tobacco
  
  
  
  • California Department of Public Health - California Tobacco Control Program - The Mission of the California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP) is to improve the health of all Californians by reducing illness and premature death attributable to the use of tobacco products. Through leadership, experience and research, CTCP empowers statewide and local health agencies to promote health and quality of life by advocating social norms that create a tobacco-free environment.
  
  
  
  • California Smokers Helpline - provides information about the free telephone program that can help you quit smoking
    
  
  
  
  
  • California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN) - dedicated to supporting youth and young adults by advocating for a tobacco-free California
  
  
  
  • Nicotine Anonymous - a non-profit 12-Step Fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives
  
  
  
  • Smoke-Free Apartments - a public database of apartment houses, condo and town house developments which are offered for rent or lease where individual buildings, including all units, are totally free of tobacco smoke
  
  
  
  • Tobacco Free Kids - a non-government initiative to protect children from tobacco addiction and exposure to secondhand smoke