TOBACCO PREVENTION

Funded by the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program, Spectrum operates two Tobacco Prevention programs in Massachusetts:

The Blackstone Valley Youth Tobacco Prevention Program works with boards of health and municipal officials to promote policies and develop strategies to reduce youth access to tobacco products. This includes conducting tobacco compliance checks; assisting boards of health with promulgating or strengthening youth access regulations; providing culturally appropriate education to the tobacco retailers about laws and regulations; facilitating youth development; and providing community education within the eleven towns of the Blackstone Valley.

The Worcester Tobacco Free Partnership collaborates with community members, schools, healthcare providers, worksites, local officials, community-based organizations, media, parents and youth, to change community norms in order to reduce tobacco use in Worcester. Interventions are designed to: 1) help tobacco users to quit smoking; 2) increase voluntary smoke-free policies; 3) integrate tobacco control strategies into existing health promotion and disease prevention programs; and 4) eliminate tobacco-related disparities in specific population groups.

For more information about either program, please call (508) 792-5400 extension 7104 or extension 7109.