Tobacco Education & Prevention

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States killing more Americans each year than AIDS, alcohol, car crashes, illegal drugs, murder, and suicide combined. Tobacco also burdens Coloradans with billions every year in health care costs.

Ninety percent of all tobacco users start before age 18 (CDC, 2014). The tobacco companies are developing new products such as e-cigarettes faster than they can be regulated, which is contributing to an increase in youth tobacco use.

The Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (TEPP) is a grant-funded program that works with community partners to:

  1. Help adults and youth quit tobacco
  2. Prevent youth from starting tobacco
  3. Decrease exposure to secondhand smoke
Boy breaking cigarette
Report a Smoking Violation to TEPP
Reportar una Violación a Políticas Libres de Humo (fumar)
Tobacco Cessation, Education and Prevention Resources

Youth Prevention

Youth in Colorado are using tobacco at alarming rates, threatening the health of our kids and our community. Youth e-cigarette use has become a health crisis in Colorado with youth vaping at rates more than twice the national average. The Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (TEPP) and its community partners are working to prevent youth from using tobacco by:

  • Educating youth, parents and the community on the dangers of tobacco use
  • Assisting local schools to strengthen tobacco-free school policies
  • Partnering with cities and towns in El Paso County to reduce illegal tobacco sales to minors

Additional Resources
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Second Chance Tobacco
INDEPTH: An Alternative to Suspension or Citation
Tobacco Prevention Toolkit

Tobacco Cessation

TEPP uses community outreach, media campaigns, and partnerships with community organizations and health care providers to encourage tobacco users across El Paso County to quit.

TEPP promotes the Colorado QuitLine, a free telephone coaching program that provides one-on-one tobacco cessation support and tools, as well as nicotine replacement therapy to people who want to quit tobacco. Call the Colorado QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW to learn more.

Additional Resources
Baby & Me Tobacco Free

Secondhand Smoke

There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. The only way to fully protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking where people live, work, and play.

The Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (TEPP) works to decrease exposure to secondhand smoke by partnering with local housing authorities and property managers, workplaces, colleges and cities and towns in El Paso County to put in place tobacco-free policies.

Additional Resources
Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA)
Smoke-free Policies in Multi-Unit Housing
Smoke-Free Environments
Smoke-Free Housing Directory

Teen Vaping

Youth in El Paso County are using e-cigarettes, also known as vaping at alarming rates. Teen vaping has risen to epidemic proportions across Colorado with youth vaping at rates more than twice the national average.

The Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (TEPP) and its community partners are working to prevent youth from using tobacco, including e-cigarettes by:

  • Partnering with local schools to educate teachers, staff and students about tobacco and strengthen tobacco-free schools policy
  • Collaborating with local governments and law enforcement in El Paso County to reduce illegal tobacco sales to minors
  • Creating smoke-free public spaces across El Paso County

Talking to Youth

Sometimes it may feel like youth aren’t listening to what you say but research shows adults can have a big influence on their behavior. As an adult they trust, you can impact their choices. What you say, and the example you set, make a difference. The following resources can help you start the conversation about vaping with youth in your life:

Know the Facts: Talk to Youth About Vaping
Vape: Myth vs. Facts
Tip Sheet: Talking to Youth

Helping Youth Quit

The Colorado QuitLine now serves Coloradans as young as 12 years old who wanting to quit vaping, smoking or chewing. Youth can receive free, confidential coaching at www.coquitline.org or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Smoke-Free Teen, a website from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also provides free quit support for youth, including texting services, a mobile app, trained coaches, and healthy tips to handle stress and social pressure.

Additional Resources

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Second Chance Tobacco
My Life My Quit

Join the Tobacco-Free Alliance

The Tobacco-Free Alliance of El Paso County brings together more than 30 community partners quarterly to discuss a variety of tobacco-related topics, address gaps in tobacco prevention and control in our community, and take action to implement change.

Contact Us
(719) 578-3199
heatepp@elpasoco.com

Follow us

Email TEPP to sign up for our monthly newsletter.