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Hamilton County Public Health is a leader in the fight against tobacco use and exposure in Hamilton County. The Division of Health Promotion and Education works with a variety of partners in the community to prevent tobacco use, help people quit, and protect people from secondhand smoke.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 Americans each year. In Ohio alone, tobacco use claims the lives of around 20,000 individuals each year – that’s 52 lives each day – and costs $3.4 billion annually in health care expenditures. Additionally, each Ohio household pays $602 in taxes to cover tobacco related illnesses.
In Ohio, more than 23.3 percent of residents, 21.1 percent of high school students, and 3.7 percent of middle school students, use tobacco products (Source: American Lung Association, State of Tobacco Control, 2014). Every day, thousands of children try their first cigarette or become addicted to tobacco – an addiction that could one day end their lives prematurely.
Hamilton County Public Health’s Goals:
- Help tobacco users quit and stay quit
- Educate residents of Hamilton County about the dangers of secondhand smoke
- Prevent youth from starting to use tobacco and vaping products
- Act as a resource to the community
- Coordinate local tobacco control and exposure initiatives
Prevention
Tobacco Free Schools
Tobacco Free Schools help to de-normalize tobacco use. Schools with 100 Percent Tobacco Free policies prohibit the use of tobacco on all school grounds, in all school buildings and at all school sponsored events. Hamilton County Public Health works with schools to develop, adopt, and promote tobacco-free school policies.
Tobacco Free Schools Model Policy and Toolkit from the Ohio Department of Health.
Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing
In an effort to protect all residents from secondhand smoke that enters apartments through walls and other areas, public and privately-owned housing complexes nationwide are adopting smoke-free policies.
Residents and property managers can find more information about smoke-free policies for multi-unit housing on the following website.
For more information about tobacco-free schools or smoke-free multi-unit housing call 513-976-7800
Quitting Tobacco
Ohio Tobacco Quit Line
Are you interested in quitting smoking or other tobacco product? The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line and Online Tobacco Cessation Program can help provide you support throughout the process. The benefits of quitting begin in the first hour and increase as the hours and days pass.
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to speak with an intake specialist and discuss assistance to help you quit tobacco or visit the Quit Line website today.
LGBTQ and Tobacco Use Ohio Tobacco Quitline
Cigarette smoking is highest among individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Tobacco industry specifically targets individuals who identify as LGBTQ (CDC, 2018). For more information about tobacco use within the LGBTQ community, check out LGBTQ and Tobacco Use.
My Life, My Quit (For Teens 13-18)
Are you a teen interested in getting to the truth behind vaping, smoking and other tobacco products? Or are you a teen who is interested in quitting vaping or using tobacco products? The My Life, My Quit program is 100% free, confidential, and made for teens (by teens!). The benefits of quitting begin in the first hour and increases as the hours and days pass.
Text or call “Start My Quit” (1-855-891-9989) to speak with a coach ready to listen and cheer you on or visit the My Life, My Quit website today.
Youth
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More than 21 percent of high school students and nearly 4 percent of middle school students use tobacco (Source: American Lung Association, State of Tobacco Control, 2014). Every day, thousands of children try their first cigarette or become addicted to tobacco – an addiction that could one-day end their lives prematurely.
Youth Prevention
Resources for providing education to youth around all tobacco products include:
- CATCH My Breath: An evidence based curriculum to increase youth knowledge on e-cigarettes, nicotine, and the impact of addiction. CATCH My Breath is a free for schools and can be implemented in grades 5-12.
- Truth Initiative: Conducts research and policy studies about tobacco and tobacco-related products (including vaping products) to provide young people with facts about tobacco and the tobacco industry. Truth Initiative works to engage individuals and groups to make change in their communities.
- This Free Life: This Free Life works to prevent and reduce tobacco use among youth and young adults who identify as LGBTQ. This Free Life also includes cessation resources for individuals looking to quit.
Decrease Youth Access
In Ohio, you must be 21 years of age to buy or possess tobacco. Store owners and community members should be diligent in preventing underage youth from purchasing or possessing tobacco products. If you know of a store in your community that sells tobacco to persons under the age of 21, please visit the FDA’s website.
Federal law states youth must be 21 years of age to purchase or possess tobacco. However, studies have found that youth successfully purchased e-cigarettes over the internet in roughly 96% of their online purchase attempts and only a quarter of youth who made an in-person purchase attempt have reported being denied sale because of their age. Caring adults and other community members should be diligent in preventing underage youth from purchasing or possessing tobacco products. If you know of a store in your community that sells tobacco to persons under the age of 21, please visit the FDA’s website.