Press Releases  |   Websites 

The Media Campaign is an integral component of California’s Tobacco Control Program, one of the nation’s longest running and most emulated comprehensive anti-tobacco programs. The award winning statewide program uses paid media (television, radio, print, outdoor, and other media vehicles) to challenge existing social norms related to tobacco use and provides cessation resources for people who want to quit.

The campaign is the first of its kind to reach California’s diverse minority and ethnic populations with successful African-American, and in-language Spanish and Asian advertising campaigns.

The campaign’s primary strategies are to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, to counter pro-tobacco influences, and to motivate Californians to quit smoking. Additionally, the campaign sponsors TobaccoFreeCA.com and ATgear.com, two Web sites designed to promote anti-smoking messages, resources, and products to extend the impact of the campaign.

If you need a reasonable accommodation due to your disability in reading materials on the California Department of Health Service Tobacco Control website, please email your request to tcsweb@dhs.ca.gov.

Press Releases

2007

• California Department of Public Health Celebrates 15th Anniversary of the California Smokers' Helpline [September 10, 2007; 3 pages, pdf]
   
• New Data Show 91 Percent of California Women Don't Smoke [May 22, 2007; 2 pages, pdf]
  2006 Adult Smoking Prevalence Data Charts [May 22, 2007; 3 pages, pdf]
  2006 Adult Smoking Prevalence Data Charts [May 25, 2007, XLS]

2006

• California Releases New Data And Anti-Smoking Ads Targeting Diverse Populations [October 2, 2006, 9 pages, pdf]
• Smoking Rates in California Fall to All-Time Low [April 20, 2006; 4 pages, pdf]

2005

• New TCS Data Show California Military, Korean Men And Lgbt Populations Smoke Much More Than Others In The State [September 9, 2005; 9 pages, pdf]
• Illegal Tobacco Sales To Minors Fall To All-Time Low [August 22, 2005; 4 pages, pdf]
• California Smoking Rates Drop 33 Percent Since State's Anti-Tobacco Program Began [April 22, 2005; 4 pages, pdf]
• California's 15-year-old Tobacco Control Program Keeps Promise to California Voters [January 25th, 2005; 4 pages, pdf]

2004

• 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds California's Tobacco Education Media Campaign September 29 [Septermber 29, 2004; 1 page, pdf]
• California's Adult Smoking Declines to Historic Lows May 26 [May 26, 2004; 5 pages, pdf]

See Archives for Press Releases prior to 2004

Media Websites

TobaccoFreeCA
http://www.tobaccofreeca.com

TobaccoFreeCA.com is an informational and interactive Web site created to provide an extension of the Media Campaign’s messages. The Web site contains resources and links for cessation, streaming video advertisements, downloadable e-cards, and wallpapers that promote awareness of the perils of tobacco use.

TobaccoFreeCA.com also provides a moderated forum for Californians to voice their opinion about tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

AT Gear
http://www.atgear.com

AT Gear is a Web site that markets and sells a contemporary collection of anti-tobacco apparel and accessories that allow people to speak their mind about rejecting tobacco. The Web site lists T-shirts, boxers, and caps depicting fun messages such as ”Smoke-free Zone” and “Tobacco-free Hottie.” AT Gear makes a statement about promoting a healthier lifestyle through anti-tobacco messages.