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Broome and Tioga County's Tobacco Control Program Completes 10 Years of Service

Tobacco Free Broome and Tioga

BINGHAMTON, NY – Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in our community, the U.S. and the world. Tobacco use claims more lives every year than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, murders, suicides, illegal drugs and fires combined! The Tobacco Free Broome and Tioga Coalition, formerly called PREVENT, has been working for 10 years locally as part of New York State’s Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program to reduce the burden of tobacco use.

Much progress has been made in 10 years both locally and statewide to prevent youth from initiating smoking, protect residents from secondhand smoke and assist smokers in quitting.
 
TEN YEARS AGO:
  • workers were exposed to secondhand smoke in their workplace
  • diners were exposed to secondhand smoke in restaurants
  • patrons were exposed to secondhand smoke in pubs, taverns and bars
In July 2003, the Clean Indoor Air Act became law in New York State and smoking was prohibited in all workplaces, including restaurants and bars.
 
TEN YEARS AGO TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND TOBACCO PRODUCT DISPLAYS WERE VISIBLE AND COMMON AT ALL TOBACCO RETAIL OUTLETS IN BROOME AND TIOGA COUNTIES.
 
Now, Wegmans no longer sells tobacco, Price Chopper has removed tobacco advertisements and covered their product displays. In addition, many convenience store retailers have removed their exterior tobacco ads and decreased their interior ads.
 
TEN YEARS AGO ALMOST ALL APARTMENT RESIDENTS WERE EXPOSED TO SECONDHAND SMOKE IF A NEARBY RESIDENT SMOKED.
 
In the last few years, several local landlords and management companies have adopted smoke free policies requiring smokers to smoke outside, thus allowing everyone to breathe clean air inside their homes.
 
TEN YEARS AGO TOBACCO COMPANIES WERE FREE TO FUND NON-PROFIT AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. 
 
Currently, over 60 agencies and organizations have signed policies refusing tobacco sponsorship in Broome and Tioga counties. In addition, 24 bars have agreed to prohibit tobacco company promotions and sampling at their businesses
 
Tobacco Free Broome & Tioga has assisted in many of these efforts to make our community a healthier place to live.
 
TEN YEARS AGO, 27% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NEW YORK STATE SMOKED. 
 
New York State’s youth smoking rate has decreased significantly with fewer than 15% of New York high school students currently smoking.
 
For more information on the work of Tobacco Free Broome & Tioga or for assistance quitting smoking, contact the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.3068 or visit www.tobaccofreebt.org.
 
Tobacco Free Broome & Tioga is funded by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control. The goal of the TCP is to increase the capacity of Bureau funded partners to change tobacco policies and social norms. Tobacco Free Broome & Tioga is dedicated to building healthier communities through tobacco-free living and subscribe to the recommended CDC Conceptual Framework and Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs guidelines.            
 
 

Posted: 12/30/2010 3:04 pm

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