Tobacco Control Program
The Tobacco Control Program provides community education, prevention services, and technical assistance to government agencies, community-based organizations, law enforcement, businesses, and residents of San Luis Obispo County. Our goal is working to keep tobacco out of the hands of youth, helping tobacco users quit, and ensuring that all community members can live, work, play, and learn in smoke-free environments.
Get Involved in Local Efforts
Join the SLO County Tobacco Control Coalition (TCC) to get involved in local efforts to prevent tobacco use. Sign up for their monthly newsletter to stay up to date on local, state, and federal tobacco issues.
Smoke-Free Environments
Learn how smoke-free outdoor air and smoke-free housing help protect community members from the harms of secondhand smoke.
Tobacco Retailer Education
Learn about the current Tobacco Retailer policies and how to stay in compliance.
Quitting Tobacco
Get support quitting tobacco to protect your health and reduce your risk of preventable diseases.
Tobacco Use in SLO County
Despite years of decline in tobacco use throughout the County, tobacco use continues to negatively impact many of our residents. In fact, the County as a whole, has a higher rate of tobacco use than the rest of the state (California Health Interview Survey). However, large differences in tobacco use persist by race/ethnicity and among population groups by socioeconomic status, educational attainment, occupation, mental health status, sexual orientation, and geography. These high-risk groups suffer disproportionately from tobacco-related illnesses. For current adult and youth tobacco use rates in SLO County, visit SLO Health Counts.
Resources
- San Luis Obispo County Office of Education's Tobacco-Use Prevention Education Program (TUPE): Lead agency for a consortium of SLO County school districts committed to helping students make healthy tobacco-related choices.
- Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit: Curriculums and modules for tobacco and nicotine education.
- Food and Drug Administration Exchange Lab: Print materials and web content aimed at communicating the dangers of tobacco use.
- YVAPE: YVAPE is a free educational program with phone coaching support for students who have been vaping at school. Students are enrolled in this program instead of alternative disciplinary action for vaping.
- Parent Presentations: Customized presentation for parent groups. Email us to schedule a presentation.
- Know the Risks: Highlights from the U.S. Surgeon General's report on e-cigarette use among youth and young adults.
- California Department of Public Health Guide for Parents: Resources and tips to keep kids healthy and nicotine-free.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Quick facts about e-cigarettes, their health effects and the risk of using e-cigarettes.
- California Tobacco Control Program: A program within the California Department of Public Health funded by tobacco taxes.
- California Youth Advocacy Network: Training and technical assistance to individuals, organizations, and coalitions advocating for tobacco-free communities.
- Come Clean Big Tobacco: Tobacco is a toxic waste. Learn of the major environmental and public health impacts from this waste.
- Flavors Hook Kids Campaign: Learn about flavored tobacco and how to take action to combat the youth vaping epidemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact our office at (805) 781- 5540 or fill out the tip-line form with any concerns about illegal or suspicious tobacco sales.
Please visit San Luis Obispo County Waste Management Authority to learn how to safely dispose of e-cigarettes or vape products. Please note the best option is to not vape at all.
Vapes are NOT a risk-free product. They contain nicotine and various levels of toxins and chemicals. Vaping is especially dangerous for teens, whose brains are still developing.
Landlords may prohibit smoking in the units they manage, however, this varies across our County. Morro Bay is the only city in our County that has banned smoking in all apartments and condominiums. For more information on resources for multi-unit housing, please visit our Supporting Smoke-Free Environments page.
Our Location
Contact Information:
The Tobacco Control Program
Phone: (805) 781- 5540
Email: [email protected]
The Tobacco Control Program is located in the Annex building of the Health Agency:
2180 Johnson Ave, Annex
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401