Tobacco Education Coalition

Mission

To protect Shasta County residents from the harmful effects and environmental impacts of tobacco, and to prevent a new generation of tobacco users.

Description

Shasta County Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) is a group of tobacco-free advocates who represent various agencies and the general public. The Coalition meets bimonthly to network, attend trainings, plan activities, review and create media, develop policy, and address current tobacco issues affecting the community. The Coalition acts as the advisory board for the Shasta County HHSA Tobacco Education Program.

Recent Accomplishments

• The City of Anderson adopted a partial flavored tobacco ban in 2019.

• A youth coalition, Students Workings Against Tobacco (SWAT), was formed in 2021.

• Five members of SWAT participated in a legislative meeting with the Rural Caucus to share local tobacco issues during the 2022 Youth Quest event.

Why We Need You

• Smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans every year. This is more than alcohol, crack cocaine, heroin, homicide, suicide, car accidents, fires and AIDS combined. (Rubin, 2016).

• Secondhand smoke exposure contributes to 400 infant deaths per year, and 41,000 nonsmoking adults. (CDC).

• The largest tobacco companies spend $8.4 billion to market and promote their products-mostly to youth. (Back, 2021).

• In 2020-2021, Shasta County conducted 52 tobacco retailer visits with a tobacco decoy under 21 years of age; 14 citations were issued.

Kids should grow up without the tobacco industry poisoning their childhood. 

Join the Shasta County Tobacco Education Coalition.

Membership

If you would like to become a member, please contact Hillary Dodson at 530.229.8469.

Meetings

The Tobacco Education Coalition meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For information on upcoming events and tobacco facts, follow us on Facebook at @ShastaTEC.

Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)

Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) is a youth-led coalition working to counter pro-tobacco influences and expose tobacco industry practices. SWAT's mission is to reduce tobacco use among teens through education, advocacy, and youth engagement.

SWAT's youth are an important community voice in Shasta County. They help raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, and the tobacco industry's influence on youth initiation.

The SWAT coalition works alongside the Tobacco Education Coalition and Shasta County Tobacco Education Program to advocate for policy change, conduct community education and outreach, educate elected officials, participate in Youth Quest, and help develop anti-tobacco media. 

Membership

Visit dontbuythelies.org to join SWAT today!