The California Department of Health Services/Tobacco Control Section (CDHS/TCS) funds a variety of local and statewide projects that facilitate community norm change and provide infrastructure to support local tobacco control efforts. These projects work in coordination with each other to create effective and innovative tobacco control interventions throughout California. 

County/City Local Health Departments

Each of the 58 county and 3 city health departments are designated as "Local Lead Agencies" (LLAs). As the lead tobacco control agency at the community level, the LLA is responsible for coordinating information, referral, outreach and education activities within their respective health jurisdiction. Each LLA fosters and involves a community coalition to engage in grassroots community mobilization activities that promote social norm changes and educate the public about health issues related to tobacco use and tobacco industry strategies that promote tobacco use. In general, LLAs take the lead on local community policy development, facilitation of enforcement of tobacco control laws, and local provision of tobacco cessation services. 

Local Competitive Grant Program

The local competitive grant program consists of a variety of local community based projects that either focus on: 1) local interventions to address tobacco control priorities; or 2) priority population-focused planning and intervention efforts. Non-profit agencies funded as competitive grant projects include community-based organizations, voluntary health organizations, health clinics, ethnic organizations, alcohol and drug centers, labor organizations, youth organizations and universities. Agencies are also representative of the state by serving local communities in Northern, Central, and Southern California.

Local Tobacco Control Intervention Projects (Project Term: July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008): Twenty five (25) projects are currently funded to address local tobacco control interventions that cater to priority focused objectives and populations. Objectives include efforts to: 1) increase the number of smoke-free areas; 2) reduce the availability of tobacco products; 3) counter pro-tobacco influences through sponsorship, marketing, and promotional activities; and 4) promote cessation. These projects also focus on populations that have higher rates of smoking, such as African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, Korean males, White males, and 18-29 year olds.

Priority Population Pilot Projects (Project Term: October 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008): Twenty one (21) planning grant projects have been funded to address priority populations in local communities through a 9-month planning phase and a 2-year intervention phase. These pilot projects will represent local priority populations, including: African American; American Indian/Alaska Native; Asian and Pacific Islander; Hispanic/Latino; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender; and those with Low Socio-Economic Status. Pilot projects will conduct a community needs assessment in their respective communities and use this information to develop and implement a comprehensive two-year intervention project.

California Partnerships for Priority Populations

The California Partnerships for Priority Populations represent a diverse and growing segment of Californians, including African Descendants, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans , Hispanic/Latinos, members of Building Trades Unions, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community, and the Low Socio-Economic Status community. The Partnerships are funded to conduct culturally appropriate educational and advocacy campaigns and to provide technical assistance to CDHS/TCS and its funded projects (LLAs and competitive grantees) on how to effectively reach out and work with California’s multicultural population. The Partnerships work together with health educators, advocates and policy-makers throughout California to end tobacco industry practices that target communities, undermine the state’s public health and exploit Californians.

Statewide Projects

A variety of projects specifically designed to provide technical assistance, resources, and/or services are funded to create impact on a statewide basis. These projects provide technical support relating to: education and advocacy work for creating smoke-free environments; grassroots organizing and community mobilization; divestment of tobacco industry funding; technical support relating to the development or adaptation of local policies and providing advocacy and support for programs which target youth and the 18-24 year old age group.

California Smokers' Helpline

The Helpline provides intensive tobacco cessation telephone counseling for those who are ready to quit. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese as well as for the hearing impaired. Tailored counseling services are provided for adults, teens, pregnant women and chew tobacco users. The Helpline also provides self-help materials and a referral list to other tobacco cessation programs. The services provided by the Helpline are free of charge. For more information on the services offered, go to the  California Smokers' Helpline. 

Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California (TECC)

The Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California (TECC) provides a broad array of resources and support services, including: a complete catalog of tobacco education materials, professional research assistance, a library of over 20,000 tobacco-related materials to borrow, and editorial, graphics, and full materials development support. For more information on TECC services, go to TECC Website.