Problems & Solutions

Ventura County Public Health and VC ASH strive to reduce tobacco and vaping use, along with any illnesses or deaths related to smoking or vaping, to influence social norms towards a Tobacco and Vape-Free County. This can be accomplished by partnering with residents, community based organizations, youth groups, cities, and non-profit agencies. To accomplish this, a policy, systems and an environmental approach is necessary.

The Problems

E-CIGARETTES + VAPING

It is a common misconception that using e-cigarettes is safe because they are not a tobacco product. However, these products contain nicotine, toxins, and ultrafine particles that are emitted into the air and inhaled into the lungs.

YOUTH ACCESS & VAPING

According to the CDC’s National Youth Tobacco Survey – In 2020, approximately one in five high school students and one in 20 middle school students currently used e-cigarettes. Youth use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe. As long as tobacco products are easily accessible and allowed to be flavored, they will continue to entice our kids to become the next generation of tobacco addicts.

SECONDHAND / THIRDHAND SMOKE + MULTI-UNIT HOUSING

Just because it doesn’t smell like a cigarette doesn’t mean it’s not a health risk. There’s no such thing as safe secondhand smoke. Smoking today is no longer limited to just cigarettes. All secondhand exposure produced by cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaping devices, cigarillos, hookah, and marijuana, is harmful to your health.

Source: Secondhand Smoke – Tobacco Free CA

Health & Environmental Impacts

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.

The Tobacco Industry not only impacts our health, but also affects our environment. Did you know an estimated 766,571 metric tons of cigarette butts make their way into the environment every year?

Source: Tobacco and the environment (truthinitiative.org)

The Solutions

Advocate

Advocate for a smoke free community through policy change. By changing laws and shaping physical landscapes, a big impact can be made with little time and resources.

Promote

Promote healthy living and healthy communities through tobacco-free events & environments throughout the county. Utilize social media to advance tobacco-free initiatives and share education. Promote local & statewide cessation resources.

Educate

Educate and increase awareness of the harms of tobacco use, secondhand smoke, and engage the community to become involved in tobacco control issues in their communities. To educate and engage the public on the dangers of vaping, tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure, and preventing youth access to tobacco products in a retail setting.

Join

Join in community coalitions and outreach efforts. VC ASH is a local coalition that is working on educating the public and sharing information on what we all can do to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, especially in our multi-unit housing, as well as combat the growing youth vaping epidemic. If you would like more information on how to become involved, Contact Vicky Gonzales at 805-981-6656