What's New?
Test Your Smoke-Free Tobacco Knowledge!
2009 Kick Butts Day Youth Essay Contest: A Selection of Essays from Students Speaking Up Against Tobacco. To request a free copy,call 610-344-5286.
Phoenixville Area High School T.A.T.U. (Teens against Tobacco Use) Club 4th Grade Poster Contest Winners
Ashtrays to Art Project - Check out the Ashtray to Art planter that has been traveling to schools across the County, raising awareness about tobacco smoke pollution (also known as second-hand smoke).
Quit Smoking Resources
Background
 The Chester County Tobacco-Free Coalition (CCTFC) has joined forces with other tobacco service providers and tobacco-free coalitions across the region. Funded through the Southeastern Pennsylvania Tobacco Control Project, new partnerships are being established. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Tobacco Control Project is working together with service providers in Schuylkill, Berks, Lancaster, Chester, Delaware, Bucks, and Montgomery counties to reduce tobacco-use and exposure.
MissionStatement
The mission of the Chester County Tobacco-Free Coalition is to improve the health and quality of life of all Chester County residents by reducing tobacco use and addiction among youth and adults.
Goals
- To identify, coordinate and mobilize appropriate community resources in tobacco use prevention and cessation initiatives.
- To empower youth and adults with cessation and refusal skills.
- To provide opportunities to youth whereby they can participate in school and community-based efforts to discourage tobacco use.
- To increase awareness among tobacco merchants regarding tobacco sale regulations and the health consequences of tobacco use by youth.
- To raise public consciousness concerning: (1) the health and economic impacts of tobacco use: and (2) how tobacco products are marketed and sold to, as well as, used by youth.
- Advocate to reduce exposure to tobacco smoke pollution at schools, worksites, restaurants and community locations.
- Advocate to strengthen Pennsylvania laws regulating the marketing and distribution of tobacco products.
History
The Chester County Tobacco Free Coalition is a collaborative community effort dedicated to preventing the initiation of tobacco use among youth, promoting quitting among youth and adults, advocating for smoke-free environments and reducing the rate of tobacco sales to youth under the age of 18 in Chester County. The Coalition was started in May 1999 by the Chester County Health Department. Members now include hospitals, clinics, schools and universities, local health agencies, community organizations, government agencies and legislative representatives.
Accomplishments
- Published resource directory of tobacco-use prevention and cessation programs and distributed 2,000 copies in Chester County
- 100% Smoke-Free Restaurant Placemat Initiative
- 100% Chester County Smoke-Free Dining Guide (2002-2008) until the passage of the Clean Indoor Air Act that required all restaurants in the State to be smoke-free.
- Student/Parent Work Permit Initiative (2003 and 2008) in Chester County public school districts to educate children age 14-17 that work where tobacco products are sold and their parents about Pennsylvania’s Act 112 of 2002.
- Celebrated the 2007 Kick Butt’s Day with a “Visual Arts Contest” to encourage youth to use their creative talents and show their peers the harmful health effects of smoking or the positive outcomes from not smoking. Received over 50 entries from 4 local high schools.
- Celebrated the 2007 Great American Smoke Out by distributing over 150 Quit Kits to Chester County residents.
Members/Providers/Services
American Lung Association
AREUFIT Health Services, Inc.
Berks County Council on Chemical Abuse
ChesPenn Family Health Center
Chester County Department of Drug & Alcohol
Chester County Commissioners
Chester County Health Department
Chester County Mental Health Mental Retardation
Chester County Hospital Community Health Education
Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM)
Council on Addictive Diseases (COAD)
Health Promotion Council (HPC)
La Comunidad Hispana - Project Salud
Lincoln University
Main Line Health
Maternal & Child Health Consortium
Nicotine Anonymous
Pennsylvania Academy of Pediatrics
Philadelphia Health Management Corporation
Phoenixville Hospital Community Health Education & Outreach
Southeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center
West Chester University Student Health Center
Membership Benefits
- Increase knowledge of current tobacco topics, prevention, cessation, youth access and legislative updates
- Network and collaborate with tobacco service providers and health agencies
- Participate in countywide tobacco control initiatives
- Obtain information on the health and healthcare costs related to tobacco use
- Attend tobacco-related trainings
CCTFC meets the second Monday of every other month from 9:30-11:00 AM at the Chester County Government Services Center
Meetings
CCTFC meets the second Monday of every other month from 9:30-11:00 AM at the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA. Click here for 2009 meeting dates |
