The Tobacco Control Program (TCP) provides tobacco education, prevention services, and technical assistance to government agencies, community-based organizations, law enforcement, hospitals, clinics, businesses and residents while working toward the following goals:
- Countering pro-tobacco influences in the community
- Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke
- Increasing the number of smoke-free public spaces, worksites, schools and communities
- Reducing the availability of tobacco products
- Promoting the availability of cessation services
Tobacco Control Program Focus Areas
- Adopting reasonable distance policy and updating the smoking control ordinance in the city of Alameda or other selected cities in Alameda County that currently do not have reasonable distance in their smoking control ordinances.
- Defining reasonable distance in the smoking control ordinances of the unincorporated areas (Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, San Lorenzo) and other selected cities in Alameda County.
- Adopting a tobacco retailer licensing policy that will increase efforts to end illegal sales to tobacco to minors and that will fund local enforcement of tobacco laws.
- Adopting and implementing smoke-free hospital policies.
- Adopting a policy that regulates smoking at outdoor public areas such as walkways, transit stops, rodeos, parks, farmer's markets and/or swap meets.
- Adopting conditional use permit policies that limit the density, location and overall number of tobacco retailers.
- Collaborating with law enforcement to monitor and enforce tobacco related laws.
- Coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating enforcement grants with law enforcement.
- Educating and providing technical assistance to policymakers, city/county staff, and law enforcement regarding tobacco related laws.
Target Audience:
All ethnic, culture, and age groups.
Eligibility Guidelines:
All Residents and businesses in Alameda County (except the City of Berkeley) are eligible to use our services. Berkeley residents and businesses should contact the City of Berkeley Tobacco Prevention Program at 510 981.5330.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does your program provide cessation services?
A. No - the TCP does not provide direct cessation services.
However, we can refer you to one that best serves your
needs for free or low cost.
Q. Can I file a complaint if a place is not cooperating with the smoking
laws?
A. Yes - you can contact our hotline at 510.628.STOP (7867).
Q. What do I do if there is a store that is selling tobacco to minors
(under 18 years old)?
A. Contact our hotline at 510.628.STOP (7867) and we will
inform the store owner regarding the issue.
Q. Does the Tobacco Control Team speak languages other than
English?
A. Yes, they also speak Spanish. However, if another language
is needed, we will make arrangements to accommodate the
public’s needs.
Q. How do you handle requests for services not covered by your
program?
A. The program would refer them to the appropriate resource Master Settlement Agreement
Under the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) funds, the TCP contracts out additional services to various community organizations that focus their efforts on the following areas:
- Increasing the capacity of youth in West Oakland to affect public policy change that will address the underlying causes of health inequities in tobacco related problems and disease by leading a social action project.
- Conducting an assessment of tobacco-education related needs in Oakland schools and the community, as well as designing and implementing two social change actions: one a peer education program to take place in OUSD schools and the other a community-based social action project targeted to East Oakland residents.
- Coordinating local policy campaigns and increasing capacity of community members to be effective advocates through trainings and the provision of information and resources.
- Coordinating the community grants process, technical assistance, and contracts monitoring. Specific focus of community grants will be the geographic areas identified by the RFP – Oakland flatlands, Hayward and the unincorporated areas.
- Coordinating trainings on tobacco as a social justice issue and tobacco’s relationship to other social justice issues for tobacco coalition and community members at large.
- Providing staff and funding support for expansion of the Alameda County Medical Center’s tobacco cessation services as well as exploring ways to increase other cessation services in south and east Alameda County.
- Providing clinical training, skill-building and technical assistance for providers and professional staff in medical settings, such as community health centers, Alameda County Medical Center and other health care groups, on how to motivate and treat clients/patients for tobacco dependence.
- Providing education, prevention and cessation services to all youth through ongoing groups conducted at Camp Sweeney as well as providing follow-up services and family communication around tobacco use and its effects on community health.
Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition
The Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition is an alliance of agencies, organizations and individuals that advocates for the prevention, reduction and control of tobacco use. Meetings are held quarterly in March, June, September, and December.
For more information on meeting dates and locations or to become a member, contact the American Lung Association of California at 510.893.5474 ext. 102 or visit the website at www.tobaccofreealamedacounty.org
Get help to quit smoking or using tobacco
The California Smokers’ Helpline (1.800.NO.BUTTS or 1.800.662.8887) is a FREE statewide quit smoking service operated by the University of California, San Diego's Cancer Center. The Helpline offers self-help materials, referrals to local programs and one-on-one, confidential assistance to help quit smoking. Professionals will help you develop a plan that will allow you to quit and double your chances of being successful.
Helpline services are available in five (5) languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), as well as a TDD line for the hearing impaired. There are also specialized services for teens, pregnant women, and tobacco chewers.
Helpline Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Voicemail and recorded messages are available 24 hours a day.
Phone Numbers
- English (1.800.NO.BUTTS or 1.800.662.8887)
- Spanish (1.800.45.NO.FUME or 1.800.456.6386)
- Mandarin and Cantonese (1.800.400.0866)
- Vietnamese (1.800.778.8440)
- Korean (1.800.556.5564)
- Hearing Impaired TDD/TYY (1.800.933.4TDD or 1.800.933.4833)
- Chewing Tobacco Helpline (1.800.844.CHEW or 1.800.844.2439)
Latest City Smoking Control Ordinances
There are numerous smoking regulations in the state of California. However, each individual city has the right to develop stronger regulations than that of the State. To find out more information on the current smoking control ordinances in a specific city in Alameda County, click on the following link: http://www.tobaccofreealamedacounty.org/laws-enforcement/local-laws-1/2009-february-ac-grid.pdf/view
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