TOBACCO FREE NETWORK
Director: Christine
Sass
Assistant Director: Michele
Houghtaling
Phone: 413-584-1300 ext: 7
Fax: 413-584-1391 or 413-584-1465
OUR MISSION is to eliminate the health consequences associated
with tobacco use through: education, prevention, assistance with quitting
smoking, and the elimination of secondhand smoke.
TOBACCO remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United
States. Did you know that:
|
Secondhand smoke causes more deaths
per year than all other regulated air pollutants combined; |
|
3,000 teens become regular smokers everyday in
the United States; |
|
Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, including
43 known cancer causing agents; |
|
The tobacco industry spends more than 13 million
dollars a day to advertise and promote cigarettes; |
|
|
Smoking is responsible for 87% of lung cancers;
|
|
|
Smoking accounts for about 30% of all cancer deaths. |
PROGRAMS
Youth Access to Tobacco
Prevention Program
Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Program services 33
towns in Franklin, Hampshire, and Worcester Counties who do not have
or enforce local youth access through their Boards of Health.
The goal of this program is to change community norms that support tobacco
use, especially the initiation of tobacco use by those under the age
of 18.
We provide education to tobacco retailers, youth access to tobacco compliance
checks, community education and other activities to reduce the illegal
sale of tobacco to minors and prevent initiation of tobacco use among
our youth.
Western Mass Smoke Free
Apartment Website
(http://smokefree.hampshirecog.org)
Many landlords are not aware that they not only hve the right
to make their apartment buildings smoke free, but that it makes good
business sense.
Smoke free housing is "a simple solution that saves money and lives."
Smoke Free Apartments:
| |
Lower cleaning and maintenance costs
when tenants move |
| |
Create an environment that attracts many tenants |
|
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Creates a healthier apartment building |
| |
Lowers insurance rates - because
"smoking materials are the leading
cause of home and total fire
deaths in the United States" |
|
WEBSITES that would help you in your work
are listed below.
Massachusetts Tobacco
Control Program (http://www.mass.gov/dph/mtcp)
EDUCATION AND PREVENTION
Make Smoking History
(http://www.makesmokinghistory.org)
for information about quitting, prevention, schools and workplace smoking
policies, smoke free families, and the impact of smoking.
American Cancer Society
(http://www.cancer.org)
is a national website with links to local ACS agencies. Cancer information,
and related news, research, and media services.
American Lung Association
(http://www.lungusa.org)
is a national website with links to local ALA agencies. Research and
statistics, cessation material, press releases, articles, legislative
advocacy, and information on targeted groups (women, minorities, etc.).
No on Tobacco (NOT) is their new teen tobacco treatment program.
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
(http://www.tobaccofreekids.org)
is a national organization with current tobacco news, action alerts,
calendar of events, research, tobacco settlement information, and an
area for kids. Canadian Council for Tobacco Control (http://www.cctc.ca/)
is a Canadian non-profit whose purpose is to provide a national focus
for tobacco control and a healthy community. Their mission is to ensure
a healthier society, free from addiction to, and involuntary exposure
to, tobacco products. Excellent resource.
TOBACCO TREATMENT
TryToStop (http://www.trytostop.org)
Developed with the American Cancer Society, this site offers help with
planning a process for quitting, including counseling, methods, brochures,
tips, and other support.
Make Smoking History (http://www.makesmokinghistory.org)
for information about quitting, prevention, schools and workplace smoking
policies, smoke free families, and the impact of smoking.