The Canadian County Tobacco Prevention program is a community-based program working to reduce tobacco use and promote prevention of tobacco initiation in youth. Canadian County is funded as a Community of Excellence in Tobacco Control through the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).
A “Community of Excellence” in tobacco control is one in which social norms consistently point to no tobacco use throughout the community. Public places and workplaces are smoke-free; community organization and events reject tobacco industry sponsorship; schools implement strong anti-tobacco curriculum and adopt tobacco-free policies; health care providers routinely refer tobacco users to accessible, culturally appropriate cessation services; the local media report accurately on tobacco-related issues; businesses run tobacco prevention messages in their employee newsletters; tobacco industry promotions and activities are monitored and countered; and the police coordinate with the local health department to enforce a tobacco retail licensing ordinance. This list is potentially endless, limited only by the imagination, enthusiasm, and determination of a local coalition.
Program Priority Areas
1. Eliminate secondhand smoke exposure
2. Prevent youth from starting tobacco use
3. Promote tobacco cessation services
4. Reduce tobacco industry influences
If you would like to become involved with the Canadian County Tobacco Subcommittee, please contact Debra Fry at the Canadian County Health Department (405) 422-6439 or at DebraF@health.ok.gov
Tobacco Links
6,200 adults die each year in Oklahoma from tobacco-related causes.
216,000 children are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.
Oklahoma spends $1.16 billion dollars annually on health care costs directly related to tobacco.
Tobacco causes more deaths than HIV, drug and alcohol use, car accidents, homicide, and suicide combined.
