Nearly five million people worldwide, including nearly 500,000 people in the United States, die every year from tobacco related illness......and all of those deaths don't have to happen.

• 8 of 10 smokers start smoking by the age of 18 and the tobacco industry claims it does not target youth.

• 20% of youth are able to purchase tobacco illegally from retailers.

• Secondhand smoke kills over 53,000 non-smokers every year.

• The tobacco companies spend 11.22 million dollars every day advertising and promoting a product that, when used as intended, kills.

• The land used to grow tobacco worldwide could feed 20 million people.

San Francisco Tobacco Free Project

The San Francisco Tobacco Free Project is part of the Health Promotion and Prevention Branch of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive tobacco control plan for San Francisco . The program is funded with state monies which have been made available following passage of the l988 Tobacco Tax Initiative as well as Master Settlement funds. The comprehensive tobacco control plan follows state guidelines and addresses the following three state mandated priorities:

(1) reducing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke,
(2) reducing youth access to tobacco, and
(3) countering pro-tobacco influences including the impact of transnational tobacco.

The Tobacco Free Project also provides staff support and technical assistance to a local tobacco control coalition, the San Francisco Tobacco Free Coalition, which has spearheaded numerous public policies addressing the three priority areas as well as policies addressing the global tobacco epidemic.  See article on the Coalition's advocacy work over the years:  SF vs Tobacco: How city controls have evolved over last 19 years, published by Central City Extra, July 2009, Issue 91

The capacity of diverse communities has been developed to protect themselves from tobacco industry targeting and promotion. With funding made available to community based organizations by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, community groups successfully completed actions to address pro-tobacco influences in their communities.

In 2005, 13.9% of San Francisco adults were smokers compared to 19.5% in 1999. Youth smoking rates also decreased from 8% to 4.3% for middle school youth and from 19% to 10.9% for high school youth. smoking prevalence data

In 1994, most San Franciscans became protected from second hand smoke exposure at the workplace. Education and information about the hazards of passive smoke led to public support for a local ordinance that was passed banning smoking in most business establishments.  The high level of public support led to excellent compliance with the law after it was passed. Additionally, over 70% of San Francisco adults do not allow smoking in their home, according to a random phone survey conducted in 2002.
data re: exposure to secondhand smoke

Underage youth are now protected from easy access to tobacco products and outdoor tobacco advertising due to a variety of local ordinances passed in San Francisco. Prop 99 funds were used to document the problems, educate the public, merchants and policy makers on the need to address the issues through public policy, and to conduct merchant education and compliance surveys after ordinances were passed.
data re: reducing youth access to tobacco products

Countering Pro-Tobacco Influences

Through aggressive advertising and marketing, the tobacco industry promotes its product. Countering pro-tobacco influences is a key component to addressing the global tobacco epidemic.                                                                                                                 data re: countering pro-tobacco influences

Check out the Stop Smoking Programs in San Francisco

Check out the San Francisco General Hospital Stop Smoking Program

Are you a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender smoker?  Do you want to quit? Check out https://iquit.medschool.ucsf.edu

or call: