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.
Regional Tobacco Taskforce
The Regional Tobacco Taskforce was formed in September 2009 to address tobacco issues in our community. Members of the Taskforce are committed to helping tobacco users quit, reducing nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke, and preventing youth tobacco use. The Taskforce typically meets the third Friday of every other month and welcome new members.If you would like to learn more about the Regional Tobacco Taskforce, please contact our health education specialist at 208-799-3100.
Tobacco Free Parks
The Regional Tobacco Taskforce has created a survey to assess community members’ support for tobacco-free parks. To share your opinion, please complete the survey that can be accessed here Click here to take survey. For questions or comments about the survey, please contact our health education specialist at 208-799-3100.
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.