Smoke Free High Country

Who We Are

The goal of the Smoke Free High Country Project is to promote a tobacco and nicotine-free lifestyle for the residents of Siskiyou, Lassen, and Plumas Counties. Our program is currently focused on 1) the ridiculously low prices of tobacco products that keep low-income and youth addicted; 2) protecting our community from 2nd and 3rd hand smoke as well as promoting cessation for all tobacco users, especially our most vulnerable community members; and 3) protecting young adults from a lifetime of addiction by creating smoke-free community college campuses.

Recently our project helped Feather River College implement a new tobacco-free policy. We are currently working with healthcare facilities, colleges, and policymakers to further reduce tobacco use. 

How Can I Help?


Connect with us! Change takes a village, and everyone can help. You can support our cause by endorsing our initiatives, connecting us with contacts that affect change in our community, joining our health-focused work groups, and spreading the word about our initiatives.

What You Need to Know


California has been one of the Nation’s leaders in reducing tobacco use. While the smoking rate statewide is down to 11.3%, rural counties continue to have a much higher rate of smoking. The rate of smoking in the High Country region of Siskiyou, Lassen and Plumas counties is 20.3%.

Tobacco use disproportionately affects many marginalized populations—including people in low-income communities, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBT individuals and those with mental illness—all of whom have a long and documented history of being targeted by the tobacco industry. Rural communities are also affected disproportionately and tend to have fewer policy protections from the promotion and use of tobacco products.

The American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control graded Siskiyou, Lassen, and Plumas counties an “F” due to lack of policies addressing tobacco control. While local policy support has historically been low in rural communities, it is growing both regionally and statewide.

The Smoke Free High Country Project was launched in July 2020 to educate the High Country Region community as well as its policy makers on the benefits of tobacco control policies on the health and wellness of its residents and the economy.

Careers


Smoke Free High Country is currently fully staffed.


Events

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Unidos Por Salud

Who We Are

The Unidos Por Salud Project is funded by the California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Prevention Program and is focused on reducing tobacco-related health issues and inequities among Latinx communities in the city of Reedley in Fresno County and the city of Lindsay in Tulare County.

For more information, visit: www.unidosporsalud.org


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Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT)

Who We Are

Created through funding from the Fresno County Department of Public Health – Tobacco Prevention Program, Youth MCAT is tasked with mobilizing youth to create policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in an effort to decrease the availability and promotion of tobacco products in local communities. The project implements a 5-step model known as Community Action Model (CAM) to create PSE change, which includes:

  • Engaging and training youth to become community advocates;
  • Completing a community diagnosis;
  • Analyzing the community diagnosis;
  • Selecting a PSE change for the community to implement; and
  • Enforcing that PSE change.

Youth MCAT is currently mobilizing change in an effort to find solutions to minimize the sale and use of flavored and mentholated tobacco products at all stores in unincorporated Fresno County.

Why Address Flavored Tobacco Products

Flavored tobacco products are deceiving- they mask the harsh taste of tobacco making it easier for young people to start and continue using nicotine. The variety of over 15,500 flavors also entice youth use by appearing in youth friendly flavors that may be perceived as not having the same negative health effects as traditional tobacco. Some flavors consist of Strawberries, Sour Gummy Worms, Horchata, Lychee, and Unicorn Puke. These products are not coincidentally named after innocent products – this is the tobacco industry’s new tactic to hook new consumers.

CAM originated in San Francisco as a program that addresses community health at a policy, systems, and environmental change level. This is the first time that the CAM project has been introduced to the Central Valley so we are excited to embark on this journey with our first cohort of Community Advocates.


Events

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Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT)

Who We Are

Created through funding from the Fresno County Department of Public Health – Tobacco Prevention Program, Youth MCAT is tasked with mobilizing youth to create policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in an effort to decrease the availability and promotion of tobacco products in local communities. The project implements a 5-step model known as Community Action Model (CAM) to create PSE change, which includes:

  • Engaging and training youth to become community advocates;
  • Completing a community diagnosis;
  • Analyzing the community diagnosis;
  • Selecting a PSE change for the community to implement; and
  • Enforcing that PSE change.

Youth MCAT is currently mobilizing change in an effort to find solutions to minimize the sale and use of flavored and mentholated tobacco products at all stores in unincorporated Fresno County.

Why Address Flavored Tobacco Products

Flavored tobacco products are deceiving- they mask the harsh taste of tobacco making it easier for young people to start and continue using nicotine. The variety of over 15,500 flavors also entice youth use by appearing in youth friendly flavors that may be perceived as not having the same negative health effects as traditional tobacco. Some flavors consist of Strawberries, Sour Gummy Worms, Horchata, Lychee, and Unicorn Puke. These products are not coincidentally named after innocent products – this is the tobacco industry’s new tactic to hook new consumers.

CAM originated in San Francisco as a program that addresses community health at a policy, systems, and environmental change level. This is the first time that the CAM project has been introduced to the Central Valley so we are excited to embark on this journey with our first cohort of Community Advocates.


Contact Us

Offices Located at:

1680 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711

Daisy Lopez, M.A. Senior Director of Program Services Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Morelia Marines Project Coordinator Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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Email Us Below

Click on your county of residence below.




    Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT)

    Who We Are

    Created through funding from the Fresno County Department of Public Health – Tobacco Prevention Program, Youth MCAT is tasked with mobilizing youth to create policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in an effort to decrease the availability and promotion of tobacco products in local communities. The project implements a 5-step model known as Community Action Model (CAM) to create PSE change, which includes:

    • Engaging and training youth to become community advocates;
    • Completing a community diagnosis;
    • Analyzing the community diagnosis;
    • Selecting a PSE change for the community to implement; and
    • Enforcing that PSE change.

    Youth MCAT is currently mobilizing change in an effort to find solutions to minimize the sale and use of flavored and mentholated tobacco products at all stores in unincorporated Fresno County.

    Why Address Flavored Tobacco Products

    Flavored tobacco products are deceiving- they mask the harsh taste of tobacco making it easier for young people to start and continue using nicotine. The variety of over 15,500 flavors also entice youth use by appearing in youth friendly flavors that may be perceived as not having the same negative health effects as traditional tobacco. Some flavors consist of Strawberries, Sour Gummy Worms, Horchata, Lychee, and Unicorn Puke. These products are not coincidentally named after innocent products – this is the tobacco industry’s new tactic to hook new consumers.

    CAM originated in San Francisco as a program that addresses community health at a policy, systems, and environmental change level. This is the first time that the CAM project has been introduced to the Central Valley so we are excited to embark on this journey with our first cohort of Community Advocates.


    Resources

    Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT)

    Who We Are

    Created through funding from the Fresno County Department of Public Health – Tobacco Prevention Program, Youth MCAT is tasked with mobilizing youth to create policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in an effort to decrease the availability and promotion of tobacco products in local communities. The project implements a 5-step model known as Community Action Model (CAM) to create PSE change, which includes:

    • Engaging and training youth to become community advocates;
    • Completing a community diagnosis;
    • Analyzing the community diagnosis;
    • Selecting a PSE change for the community to implement; and
    • Enforcing that PSE change.

    Youth MCAT is currently mobilizing change in an effort to find solutions to minimize the sale and use of flavored and mentholated tobacco products at all stores in unincorporated Fresno County.

    Why Address Flavored Tobacco Products

    Flavored tobacco products are deceiving- they mask the harsh taste of tobacco making it easier for young people to start and continue using nicotine. The variety of over 15,500 flavors also entice youth use by appearing in youth friendly flavors that may be perceived as not having the same negative health effects as traditional tobacco. Some flavors consist of Strawberries, Sour Gummy Worms, Horchata, Lychee, and Unicorn Puke. These products are not coincidentally named after innocent products – this is the tobacco industry’s new tactic to hook new consumers.

    CAM originated in San Francisco as a program that addresses community health at a policy, systems, and environmental change level. This is the first time that the CAM project has been introduced to the Central Valley so we are excited to embark on this journey with our first cohort of Community Advocates.


    Community Advocates

    WHAT WE DO

    The Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT) Project believes that youth have the ability to create change and values their input on issues that impact them the most. With the ultimate goal of supporting youth in becoming community leaders and advocates, the Youth MCAT Project aims to provide them with the essential tools that will lead them to create the change they wish to see.

    The California Health Collaborative hosts youth coalitions under the umbrella of the statewide coalition Collaborate. Advocate. Lead. Inspire. (CALI). CALI Youth coalitions focus on a wide array of community efforts including substance use prevention, local policy change efforts, and civic engagement. Our YOUTH MCAT group of youth is a part of the CALI Youth Coalitions. They represent the communities of Easton and Caruthers in Unincorporated Fresno County.

    TRAINING

    • Youth Advocacy & Leadership
    • Data Collection & Analysis
    • Professional Development
    • Public Speaking
    • Health Education
    • Community Outreach
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