Smoke-Free San Mateo County

Overview May 11, 2016

Smoke-Free San Mateo County

Welcome to the Smoke-Free San Mateo County webpage. Below you will find information about our efforts to create smoke-free homes, create tobacco-free pharmacies, reduce the availability of tobacco products in retail environments, and provide resources for individuals interested in quitting smoking. Please contact the Smoke-Free Hotline (650-573-3777 or tobaccoprevention@smcgov.org) if you have any questions..

General information January 4, 2019

Flavored Tobacco & Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance

On June 19, 2018, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that restricts the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies and flavored tobacco products in unincorporated areas. The Board of Supervisors also approved an ordinance that restricts the sale of electronic cigarettes sold in combination with nicotine. The purpose of these ordinances are to help address the recent increase in use of flavored tobacco products (i.e. e-cigarettes, vapes, etc.) among youth and young adults. This increase was considered to be an “epidemic” by the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Surgeon General in the fall of 2018. More information about the ordinance can be found below.

(650) 573-3777

General information May 11, 2016

Help Quitting Tobacco

Congratulations on taking the first step to quitting smoking!

This might be the most important step you ever take to care for yourself. You can quit, and we can help.

See the bottom of this page for a list of programs that can support you as you work toward a smoke-free life.

General information May 11, 2016

Tobacco Education Coalition
Advocating policy change to support a tobacco-free San Mateo County

In 1988, California voters passed Proposition 99, which imposed a 25-cent tax on every pack of cigarettes sold in the state. A portion of those funds are dedicated for tobacco prevention and education services in every California County. San Mateo County has a strong history of advancing campaigns that help smokers quit and protect the health and well-being of all non-smoking youth and adults.

General information May 5, 2016

Call the Anonyous Smoke-Free Hotline @ (650) 573-3777 to report drifting smoke.

Smoke-Free Housing

Drifting smoke in multi-unit housing (such as apartments and condos) is a danger to children and families. While the number of current smokers in our community continues to decrease, many residents are still exposed to secondhand smoke every day. This is why the San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) educates tenants about what steps they can take if smoke is drifting into their unit. At the same time, TEC works with landlords to educate them about the benefits of developing smoke-free policies for the apartment or condo buildings they own.

General information May 11, 2016

Ending Youth Access to Tobacco

For the last decade, the Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) has mounted a tremendously successful effort to limit the number of illegal sales of tobacco products to youth under age 21.

Despite being underage, in the early 2000s, youth who attempted to purchase cigarettes in the community were able to do so more than 50% of the time.

Through the establishment of partnerships with youth, schools, parents, law enforcement, and retailers, the number of documented youth sales has dropped dramatically.

(650) 573-3777

General information May 18, 2016

Cigarette Butt Litter Reduction Program

Thousands of cigarette butts get picked up in San Mateo County every Coastal Cleanup Day.

When butts are littered onto streets and sidewalks, they are easily washed, blown, or flicked down storm drains that lead straight into local creeks, the Bay, and the Pacific Ocean without any treatment. In addition to being unsightly, cigarette butts never disappear because they are made of plastic and do not biodegrade. They are toxic to marine and freshwater fish.

Smoke-Free San Mateo County

Congratulations on taking the first step to quitting smoking!

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