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Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
 
 
{Kick Butt Day 2010 Essay Contest Winners}
 
Tobacco use is the leading behavioral cause of premature death and disability in the United States, contributing to chronic heart and cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cancer. Among young people in particular, the short-term consequences of smoking and other tobacco use include acute respiratory and non-respiratory illness, addiction to nicotine, and the associated risk of involvement in other drug use. The long-term consequences of tobacco use are reinforced by the knowledge that most individuals who smoke regularly as youth establish lifelong patterns of tobacco use. In 2008, 15.9% (68,800) of Chester County adults reported being current smokers. Chester County’s percent rate is considerably lower compared to Pennsylvania's (23%) and a 5.5% drop from 2000.     {smokefreesign.jpg}  
 
Chester County 2008 Tobacco Use Data - The smoking rate of students in high school across the state is at 18%, a decline from 2002 (23.1%). For more information on youth smoking behaviors, view the PA Youth Tobacco Survey of 2006.
 

Services

  • Youth Access to Tobacco Laws – Did you Know...?
    • 32.8 million packs of cigarettes are purchased or smoked by PA youth each year.
    • 300,000 PA children under 18 will die prematurely from smoking.
It is illegal in PA to sell, provide or supply any tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, snus, snuff and chewing/dipping tobacco to anyone under the age of 18. The fines for violating the PA tobacco laws (Act 112) range from $100-$5,000 and may result in the suspension and/or loss of a tobacco license. The Chester County Health Department performs compliance checks on a regular basis. All violations result in a citation for the clerk and the establishment. Violations are reported to the PA Department of Revenue and the PA Department of Health. To anonymously report an illegal sale of tobacco to a minor (under age 18),  call 1-888-99-SMOKE.
  • Chester County Tobacco-Free Coalition – Become a member of a community of individuals and organizations who are dedicated to:
    • preventing the initiation of tobacco use among youth
    • promoting quitting among youth and adults
    • advocating for tobacco-free environments
    • reducing the rate of tobacco sales to youth under the age of 18 in Chester County
Obtain the latest information about tobacco control topics, participate in community activities, educate residents about the dangers of tobacco, and network with others who are interested in tobacco control. Call 610-344-5286 if you are interested in scheduling a workshop for your organization.
  • PA Department of Health Free Quitline 1-800-784-8699 - Based on state-of-the-art phone counseling techniques, Quitline provides counseling and structured assistance for individuals who want to quit.
  • Quitnet is free for Chester County residents - QuitNet is designed to help tobacco users through the quitting process.
*The tobacco control project is sponsored by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Tobacco Control Project
and funded by the PA Department of Health. 




Content Last Modified on 5/14/2010 2:09:57 PM
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