Tobacco Prevention | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Tobacco Prevention Bennington WIC (Bennington) Family and Child Health Active and Healthy Communities Worksite Wellness School Health Immunizations Infectious Disease Community Prevention Programs Tobacco Prevention Emergency Preparedness Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention We provide information regarding Vermont regulation of tobacco products and Vermont smoke-free laws. We are a resource for information on tobacco- and smoke-free initiatives, tobacco surveillance and research and youth prevention programming. We provide schools, health care providers and community coalitions with resources to support quitting smoking. We work with coalitions, and the municipalities and worksites that they partner with, on the development of tobacco policies and ordinances. We provide support to colleges interested in pursuing smoke-free campuses. We also address the impact of in-store tobacco advertising in our communities. The Collaborative has received a Community Transformation Grant and is working to provide education and outreach for our cities and towns regarding prevention of substance abuse, including tobacco. The Collaborative works with towns to address secondhand smoke exposure by helping to develop sound, evidence-based policies. The creation of tobacco-free spaces, including tobacco substitutes such as e-cigarettes, is the most effective way to reduce secondhand smoke exposure. The goal is to protect all citizens from secondhand smoke exposure, to help smokers to quit, and to change social norms related to tobacco use. Strategies include: Tobacco-free campuses, including e-cigarettes, for town buildings and properties Tobacco-free town vehicles Reducing tobacco advertising Reducing youth exposure to tobacco products Recent Successes The town of Manchester Parks Ordinance designated three public parks tobacco- and smoke-free in 2016 The town of Dorset created a smoke and tobacco policy applicable to all town-owned property in 2011. The Manchester Price Chopper store created a smoke-free entry way, and helped reduce the employee smoking rate to less than 10%. Pingree Park in Londonderry became smoke-free. All municipal parks in Bennington posted signage designating the parks smoke-free. Smoking rates in Vermont are declining, but they remain higher in some groups. Learn more about how we provide services and supports to those with the highest rates of smoking and tobacco use CounterBalance is a campaign directed towards the tobacco industry’s influence on youth and the damaging impact tobacco use has on community health. Resources for Quitting Call 1-800-Quit-Now (784-8669) for in-person, phone, or online help, including free gum, patches and lozenges. Smoking resources in other languages Tobacco Use in Vermont Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs- Vermont Community Profiles Meagan, Chronic Disease Program Specialist 802-447-6472 [email protected] March 7, 2024