Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Tobacco Use Prevention Use Program works to reduce disease, disability, and death related to tobacco use by addressing four goal areas:
The mission of the Georgia Tobacco Use Prevention Program is to reduce the use of tobacco and the burden it causes from related illness and disease in Georgia by coordinating strategies in tobacco use prevention and control, provide technical assistance and training on policy development, program interventions, communications strategies and serve as a resource center for tobacco issues.
50 of the 181 public school systems in Georgia have adopted a 100% Tobacco Free School Policy, protecting approximately 850,000 youth from the dangers of secondhand smoke. The Tobacco Free Schools Project was initiated to reduce teen tobacco use and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke (a Class A carcinogen). Implementation of the Tobacco Free Schools Policy prohibits the use of tobacco products on school property and includes buildings, grounds, and vehicles used to transport students. The policy also applies to all off-campus sponsored events. Adoption of the policy protects students, staff, and visitors from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. In May 2008, Georgia launched a Nicotine Replacement Pilot in five districts with high tobacco prevalence. As a result of this pilot, enrollments for Quit Line services increased by 600%. The results from the pilot validate the need for enhanced support for tobacco cessation. Funding recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention support the need for an increased investment in cessation support, such as nicotine replacement therapy.
