There are nearly 440,000 tobacco-related deaths in the United States every year. That means 1,200 people die every single day from tobacco. Public Health Idaho North Central District (PHINCD) is working to reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths through four main tobacco prevention and control goals:
- Prevent initiation of tobacco use among youth
- Promote tobacco cessation among adults and youth
- Eliminate exposure to environmental tobacco smoke
- Identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities
Public Health Idaho North Central District (PHINCD) works with Idaho’s Project Filter to meet these goals by utilizing counter-marketing strategies, school and youth-based programs, policy change, and health care provider education.
Teens Against Tobacco Use (T.A.T.U)
TATU is a youth empowerment program that teaches teens to fight back against tobacco use. The overall goal of TATU is to help youth remain tobacco free. Teens are taught the dangers of tobacco use, and in turn develop tobacco prevention messages that are presented to younger children. Teens as teachers and role-models are effective in preventing tobacco use among the students that look up to them. If your school or student organization is interested in participating in TATU, please contact our Health Education Specialist at 208-799-3100. Read the Teens Against Tobacco Use brochure for more information.
Tobacco Free Zones
Eliminating nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke is an important goal of PHINCD. One way to achieve this goal is through policy change. Local businesses are encouraged to adopt policies that prohibit tobacco use within 20 feet of their public entrances, which can help to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure. If your business is interested in adopting a Tobacco Free Zone, please contact our Health Education Specialist at 208-799-3100 for more information.
Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers are encouraged to adopt a tobacco policy utilizing the 5A’s tobacco reminder system. The 5A’s include Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange. Providers that agree to implement the tobacco reminder system are given supplies, including stickers, stamps, and patient education materials. To learn more about the 5A’s tobacco reminder system, contact our Health Education Specialist at 208-799-3100.