Who We Are
The Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition is a program of BHHST currently working in Cameron & Willacy Counties.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote and advocate for a tobacco-free environment by empowering communities to affect individual and social change and promote compliance and support for enforcement of all tobacco laws.
Our Vision
Our vision is to prevent tobacco use among adolescents; increase tobacco cessation and eliminate exposure to second hand smoke.
THE TOBACCO PREVENTION & CONTROL COALITION IS A PROGRAM OF
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS OF SOUTH TEXAS
WHY DO WE FOCUS ON YOUTH PREVENTION?
Because Big Tobacco likes to start them young to build life-long customers. Every potential youth smoker we can prevent saves someone a lifetime of suffering from tobacco-related disease.
Adults in the U.S. are smoking at the lowest rates EVER! Experts attribute the decline to public health campaigns, rising cigarette taxes, and local ordinances & policies. Now our work shifts to improving the quality of life for all Cameron and Willacy County residents and visitors, 20 out of the 22 cities now have comprehensive smoke-free ordinances.
9 out of 10 adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable
death in the U.S., causing over 438,000 deaths per year.