Tobacco

In 2003 the citizens of Pueblo voted to limit smoking in public places within the city of Pueblo. The requirements of that law affect the city of Pueblo only. To view the laws regarding smoking for areas outside of Pueblo city limits and for the state of Colorado please click here. 

 

Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death in the United States!

Pueblo Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (PTEPP) is dedicated to making Pueblo a healthier community. PTEPP is funded through a grant with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Amendment 35 state tobacco tax dollars. 

Tobacco Products
Tobacco use does not just involve cigarettes; it can also include chewing tobacco, cigars, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), dissolvable products and more. Although the health concerns from using these products vary, it is clear that every tobacco product has some level of danger and no tobacco product is completely safe. For information on the different tobacco products that exist and the health consequences associated, please click here. Parents this is a great resource to keep you up to date, so that you may teach your kids about the products and the health consequences, as well as answer any questions they might have.
 

Youth Tobacco Use

Research shows that 90% of adult smokers started before the age of 18. This proves just how important it is for efforts to be taken to prevent youth from starting to use tobacco. PTEPP is concerned about our local youth and is working to prevent them from accessing tobacco products. To find out more information about this work and to get involved please visit TacklingTeenTobacco.com.
Parents and other adults can also help their child quit tobacco or even prevent them from trying and starting the usage of tobacco. Adults are a very important link in the reduction of teens using tobacco. You can have a huge impact on your child’s life just by talking to them. There are many resources available to help adults talk to kids, and for kids to explore information on tobacco, the following are a just a few links for you to explore:

Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals; 200 are poisons; approximately 60 cause cancer. Secondhand smoke comes from two places: the smoke exhaled by the person who smokes and the smoke from the end of a burning cigarette. Secondhand smoke causes or can make certain health conditions worse including cancer, respiratory infections, heart disease and asthma. Children are especially at risk of negative health effects when around secondhand smoke. There are four myths about the dangers of secondhand smoke that are FALSE.

  • Myth #1- Opening a window in the car or house while smoking will protect non-smokers.
  • Myth #2- If the smoke cannot be smelled there is no risk.
  • Myth #3- If the non-smoker is far enough away or in another room from the smoker there is no risk.
  • Myth #4- The only way to protect non-smokers from the smoke is to quit!

The Secondhand Smoke Fact Sheet has detailed information regarding the above myths.

Quitting Tobacco 
When a person has made the decision to quit using tobacco there are resources available to help. 
The Colorado QuitLine is a free phone service for anyone calling from a Colorado area code. With QuitLine, tobacco users can receive free supplies of the nicotine patch as they work with trained coaches who create a personalized quit plan just for them. Their coach can give them the support and tools they'll need to help they quit smoking for good. These tools include the patch, individual coaching, relapse prevention and scheduled calls from their coach. To contact the QuitLine, call 1 800 QUIT NOW (1 800 784 8669).
A listing of helpful resources is provided below for quick reference. Whatever way works best for you, these resources are available to make sure that this time is the last time you quit.

Resources

  • Myquitpath - A portal to 7 different sites for quitting; select the site that’s right for you.
  • Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids - Get the latest facts, news, and resources related to tobacco and youth.
  • Raise Smoke-Free Kids - A Colorado resource to help prevent kids from starting to use tobacco, help people quit, assist in the reduction of and protection from secondhand smoke, and reduce tobacco use among high risk groups.
  • The Truth - You’re smart enough to make your own decisions about smoking. Make sure you’re armed with the right facts.
  • My Last Dip - A series of unique web-based interventions that have been designed to help chewing tobacco users quit for good. One program is specially designed for chewers ages 14-25.
  • Kill the Can - A website dedicated to helping people QUIT dip, smokeless & chewing tobacco.
  • SmokeFree ‐ Get help from the online guide, talk to a counselor, and access resources to help you quit smoking.
  • Co QuitLine ‐ Find tools to help you understand your addiction and how to beat it, develop a support network, read success stories and find out how you can become one of them!
  • Lung USA ‐ Click on quit smoking for guidance in your quit attempt, and learn about how big tobacco companies are using you.
  • Become An Ex ‐ Develop a plan to quit and get the resources you need to do it.
  • Nicotine Anonymous ‐ Learn about the twelve step program to help you quit. Find meetings or join a meeting online.
  • Try to Stop ‐ Learn about medications that can help you quit, read tips and articles about quitting, and join the Try‐To‐Stop community. Use the Quit Wizard to create a quitting plan just for you! (e-cards to send to family and friends during your quit attempt or to send to encourage someone who is quitting)
  • Cancer.org ‐Click on “Guide to Quitting Smoking” which provides detailed information about strategies to quit smoking and how to increase the odds of quitting for good.

 

Pueblo Tobacco Prevention Coalition

Many community organizations and individuals have gathered together to tackle the tobacco issues in Pueblo County. If you are interested in attending the meetings or getting more information please call Cathryn Sanchez at 583-4334 or email sanchezca@co.pueblo.co.us. 

Mission: To create and promote healthy Pueblo County families through education, awareness and policy. 

 

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