The City of Blue Lake (2007) joined approximately 25 other cities in
California and adopted a comprehensive tobacco control ordinance based in the
model policy from the American Lung Association Technical Assistance Legal
Center (TALC).
The City of Eureka (2010) joined approximately 33 other cities in California and adopted a comprehensive tobacco control ordinance based in the model policy from the American Lung Association Technical Assistance Legal Center (TALC). The policy protects non-smokers and offers relief for many people who were exposed in their homes on multi-unit residential properties by eliminating smoking in indoor and outdoor common areas including decks and patios within 30-feet of a non-smoking area.
More than 19,700 cigarette butts have been collected in the first half of 2012 by TFH working with other groups and local volunteers at tobacco litter cleanup surveys throughout the Humboldt Bay area. Hot spots include the Arcata Plaza, Old Town Eureka, HSU and CR, and Cooper Gulch Park. TFH has run tobacco litter prevention advertisements on local radio stations and distributed more than 950 personal ashtrays.
The Eureka Housing Authority will be making all their properties 100% smoke-free (with some designated smoking areas outdoors) as of January 2013. This has been the result of collaboration between the Authority, Tobacco Free Humboldt, and Project SHARE with the Health and Social Policy Institute.
Local tobacco cessation is promoted on an ongoing basis. Tobacco Free Humboldt works with TEN and American Cancer Society to provide for free monthly cessation classes in Eureka and provider training in the Ask Advise Refer methods for helping patients quit by referring to local and state-wide quit resources. During Great American Smokeout (third Thursday in November) TEN works with local employers and providers to encourage tobacco users to quit.
· Current efforts include:
- Legislated Smoke-Free outdoor areas policy in Arcata and all jurisdictions.
- Legislated Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing (MUH) policy in Arcata.
- Voluntary Smoke-Free MUH policy with owners and residents in Fortuna.
- Reducing tobacco litter in public places such as parks and sports fields.
- Helping smokers quit by supporting free cessation materials and classes.
- Building a strong and sustainable tobacco control coalition.
- Support evidenced-based tobacco prevention classes for 7th grade students.