Tobacco Use Prevention

The Prevention and Planning Division utilizes Proposition 99 tobacco tax funds to conduct tobacco control activities including the Tobacco Education Program, Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Sonoma County, and the Sonoma County Peer Leaders Advocating for Teens (SPLAT).

The Tobacco Education Program operates under a three-year comprehensive tobacco control plan (2004-2007) that includes five objectives within four broad program areas. These objectives focus on educating merchants around reducing tobacco advertising and eliminating self-service displays of all tobacco products, implementing smoke-free outdoor dining areas, offering smoking cessation programs, and increasing the capacity of middle and high schools to obtain state tobacco education funding.

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Sonoma County is comprised of various community-based organizations involved in community health education against tobacco use. Members assist in the development and implementation of community tobacco control efforts and provide a united voice to respond to the tobacco industry.

The Division responds to complaints and provides technical assistance to the community on a wide variety of tobacco control related issues including violations of worksite no-smoking laws and illegal sales of tobacco to minors.

Staff