Tobacco Free Thurston County

The average age of initiation of tobacco use in Thurston County is 12 years. Twenty-three (23) percent of our county’s high school seniors report smoking cigarettes within the last 30 days. This program brings together a group of agencies, organizations, and individuals committed to supporting and promoting tobacco prevention, education, intervention, and policy reform in our community. Program Overview Build and maintain youth and adult coalitions to respond to community needs. Support statewide and local cessation efforts. Provide educational information and presentations to youth and adults. Work with community partners to advocate for change around tobacco policies and use. Goals Prevent youth from beginning to use tobacco. Help tobacco users quit. Reduce the exposure of Thurston County residents to secondhand tobacco smoke. Build capacity for tobacco prevention and control, particularly among traditionally underserved populations. Current Components Educational classes offered to youth and adults on health risks of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. Peer education (Teens Against Tobacco Use), in which teens are trained to teach elementary and middle school youth about the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. Health care providers’ training offered on tobacco cessation/intervention methods. Referral to Diversion classes as an alternative to fines/suspension for teens found in possession of tobacco. Youth coalition (Students Protesting Lies About Tobacco!) educating peers, community members, and legislators about how tobacco affects youth through presentations, educational campaigns and media efforts. Adult coalition working in partnership on tobacco issues within underserved populations. Policy advocacy activities to support change in tobacco-related policies, encouraging sustainable prevention and control efforts. Resource library with video, educational and research materials that are culturally relevant and available for use by community members. Mini-grants to support the work of community groups working to address tobacco use and secondhand smoke within underserved populations.