tl tr
Public Health Minimize
bl br
Public Health Menu

Tobacco Education Coalition

 

Are you concerned about new tobacco products like electronic cigarettes? Tired of seeing cigarette butts everywhere you look? Worried about tobacco companies targeting our children with their deadly, addictive products? You've come to the right place! The Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) is an advocacy group that promotes a tobacco-free lifestyle and environment. The Coalition was formed in 1985 and is funded by Propositions 99 and 56 (sales taxes on cigarettes) and staffed by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. The Coalition consists of community organizations, health professionals, youth advocates, concerned residents, environmentalists and others who want to live in a tobacco and smoke-free community!

Meeting Schedule - Frequently Asked Questions
New Member Handbook - Web Links

NEW Tobacco 21 Law

2017-2021 Program Objectives - Coalition Fact Sheet



 
            

Tobacco Retail Licensing Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Surgeon General's 2016 Report on E-Cigarettes

Visit Our Facebook Page for the Latest News and Information

City of Santa Cruz Smoking Ordinance
Smoke-Free Car Law

Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community 2016 Data

 

 

Coalition accomplishments include:

  • Maintaining compliance with smoke-free workplace laws
  • Working with local law enforcement to create smoke-free jail facilities
  • Advocating for smoke-free beaches and parks in Santa Cruz and Capitola
  • Educating community agencies about adopting tobacco-free donation/sponsorship policies
  • Encouraging apartment residents and managers to create smoke-free living areas
  • Collaborating with local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) agencies to create smoke-free event policies
  • Supporting local leaders to adopt policies that reduce the public's exposure to tobacco and secondhand smoke.

Want to make our community tobacco-free? Join the Coalition!

  • Meet other people who care about tobacco and share ideas about how to tackle the problem
  • Advocate for tobacco-free policies
  • Work to keep kids tobacco-free

2018 Coalition Meetings

The Coalition meets 6 times per year on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The 2018 dates are: January 17, March 21, May 16, July 18, September 19 and November 14. Call  454-5412 for meeting locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I want to quit smoking. Are there any classes or help?
    Call 454-4141 to request self-help materials and a list of classes in Santa Cruz County. Also, the California's Help-line offers free smoking cessation counseling over the phone:
    • English: 1-800-NO-BUTTS
    • Spanish: 1-800-45-NO-FUME
  • I want to report a business that allows smoking. Who do I call to complain?
    Smoking is not allowed inside public places, workplaces, restaurants, and bars. Call 454-4319 and leave a message to report a violation.
  • I was in a bar and noticed people were smoking, where can I report this?
    We would appreciate it if you reported any of the following activities happening in a bar or work environment that has employees working within the environment: patron(s) or employee(s) smoking, ashtrays or matches made available to non-employees, cigarette machines located on premises, "No Smoking" signs not posted at each entrance, or drinks served to non-employees who are smoking. 

    Print and fill out this form and fax to 454-5048 or mail it to:

    Tobacco Education Program
    P.O. Box 962, Santa Cruz, CA 95061 
    or call (831) 454-4319 (Please leave your name, phone number, name of business and what you observed.)
 

Web Sites About Tobacco:

 

Contact Info

Smoking Complaint?
(831) 454-4319

If you want to make a complaint about a smoking violation inside a building, call (831) 454-4319 or fill out this form and click the email button on the bottom to email or fax the completed form to 454-5048.

Tobacco Education Program
P.O. Box 962
Santa Cruz, CA 95061