Common Theme Campaigns

Smoke-Free Zone Campaign

Central Vermont New Direction Coalition and the Vermont Department of Health are working together to help keep children away from secondhand tobacco smoke.

Each year in Montpelier, youth from Central Vermont New Directions Coalition spend an afternoon chalking the city sidewalks with SFZ in a statewide effort to bring awareness to community members about the dangers of second hand smoke and children.

Approximately 50-75% of children in the United States have detectable levels of cotinine in their bodies, a sign that they have nicotine (a primary ingredient in cigarettes) in their systems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Children who do not smoke and live in smoke-free homes can still be exposed to the dangers of nicotine through secondhand smoke.

To remind Vermonters who spend time with children to always maintain smoke-free zones, Central Vermont New Directions is distributing “smoke-free zone” bibs and magnetic picture frames as well as decals, stickers and brochures to local day care centers. Staff are presenting puppet shows at daycare centers and teaching the children songs about the risks of secondhand smoke.

The Vermont Department of Health Recommends that smokers stay 50 feet away from entries, vents, windows and doorways in order to protect others from toxic environmental tobacco smoke.

Your Quit, Your Way Campaign
	According to the Tobacco Control Program, the adult smoking prevalence rate has not seen the large declines that have happened among youth. The good news is that the rate in Vermont has dropped to an all-time low of just below 18% (17.6%), which represents about 86,000 smokers. This decline is encouraging, but is still far from the 2010 goal of 11%. The toll of tobacco is high, with 800 deaths attributed to smoking in 2006 alone. In addition to the lives lost, each year smoking-related illnesses cost the state at least $233 million dollars, $72 million of which are Medicaid expenditures. Each year the Tobacco Control Program, along with its partners, reaches out to smokers to encourage them to quit smoking and to link them to resources to help quit for good. While outreach happens during the whole year, November and December are reserved for “common theme” activities. The Great American Smokeout in mid-November helps to highlight the quitting message and provides momentum as we move into the New Year, a time when many smokers decide to give quitting another try.
	For the Great American Smokeout of 2008, Central Vermont New Directions set up tables at several locations. We were present at the Department of Motor Vehicles on November 20th. Community College of Vermont gave us table space during the evening class hours of November 17th through November 20th. The Department of Transportation and WalMart at the Berlin Mall also provided space for Your Quit Your Way information during November. We know that smokers have strong reasons for quitting, health being the number one reason smokers want to quit, followed by encouragement and costs.
At U-32, the Student Assistance Professional and students set up an informational table with materials for high school students on the Great American Smokeout Day.	If you or someone you know would like to quit tobacco use (cigarettes, hew, cigars, pipe, etc.) but need help? CVMC offers workshops most months at a variety of times and locations in central Vermont. Special attention is given to developing a quitting strategy, including dealing with weight control and managing stress.

For many tobacco users, support from others makes the difference in being tobacco-free. These workshops will offer ways to change your behavior and help you start a tobacco free lifestyle. For more information, please call 371-5945.