About Smoke Free NOW
Smoke Free NOW Program Accomplishments
August 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006
1. GCC Community College Village Dorms adopted a new tobacco policy. They
have added “No Smoking Zones” that extend approximately 20-25 feet from
all entryways. Butt urns have been placed at the entrance to these zones and
signs have been put up notifying the students and public that the areas are “No
Smoking Zones”. The zones will also be marked with painted stripes
to make them stand out.
2. 500 NRT two-week kits have been distributed to GCASA, Wyoming County Chemical
Abuse Treatment Program, United Memorial Medical Center, and Medina Memorial
Hospital. The success of this program is currently being evaluated by WNY
Cessation Center-North by followup calls using the NYS Smoker’s Quitline
protocols.
NOTE: This objective was terminated once the Cessation Centers became
operational.
3. Smoke Free NOW is collaborating with the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.
We have established a website, www.bizonboard.com, which is linked to the
Chamber website and describes three GCASA programs: Smoke Free NOW, Drug
Free Communities,
and GCASA’s EAP program for employers. Smoke Free NOW has made presentations
to Pepsi, Turnbull Heating and Air, Lions Club, Rotary, and others. In addition,
Smoke Free NOW has a quarterly insert in the Chamber of Commerce monthly
newsletter sent to 1,100 businesses in Genesee Counties. Smoke Free NOW is
a member of
the Orleans and the Wyoming County Chambers of Commerce as well, and we are
working to establish similar relationships in those counties.
4. GCASA has signed a “No Tobacco Money Acceptance Policy”, and
we are waiting to hear from three other agencies. GCASA was the first to
sign on the stoptargetingkids.com website.
5. Smoke Free Vehicles- Smoke Free NOW has distributed 2,500 auto shades
that say “Smoke Free Ride, Safe Inside”. In addition 41,500 Smoke
Free Home and Car decals were distributed in the SFN catchment area through
the
penny savers. (14,500 in Genesee County, 20,000 in Orleans County, and 7,000
in Wyoming County.)
6. Smoke Free NOW is now collaborating with two GCASA programs which will
bring more individuals into the Partnership. Smoke Free NOW is currently
also a committee
of the Drug Free Communities in Genesee and Orleans Counties. We are also
partnering with GCASA’s SafeHomes Program. This program gets parents to pledge to
keep “Safe Homes” for their children and any children who visit.
The pledge originally only stated that alcohol and firearms would be secured
from children. The pledge now includes keeping the home smoke free. This
is a policy change for the programs in Genesee and Orleans Counties.
7. Smoke Free NOW collaborated with the two other Community Partnerships in
WNY to create an area-wide comprehensive media plan for the Buffalo Area. By
combining our resources we were able to maximize the reach and frequency of
our ads so that they would be most effective.
8. Collaborated with the other two Community Partnerships to plan and implement
the Legislative Breakfast and “Kick Butts Day” at Roswell Park.
9. Recognized nine local pharmacies that do not sell tobacco products (out
of 27 in the three county area). A 3⁄4 page ad in the Batavia Daily
News congratulated them for their decision to put the concern for community
health
above profits from tobacco products. Some of the pharmacies were contacted
by Smoke Free NOW prior to their decisions not to sell tobacco products.
10. Quitline Calls in our catchment area increased 324% compared to the previous
year. Calls from July 04-05 compared to July 05-06 increased 324% from 207
to 877!
11. Wilson Farms/Sugar Creek stores have agreed to reduce tobacco advertising in WNY.
Smoke Free NOW Program Campaigns 2006-2007
Media Campaign for Municipality Resolutions
Media Campaign for Tobacco Free Magazines
Media Campaign for Tobacco Free Sponsorship
Media Campaign to Reduce POP Advertising
Municipality Resolutions
(One municipality resolves to reduce tobacco advertising in the retail environment.)
Tobacco Free Magazines
(Three organizations, businesses or community members will request tobacco
free advertisement editions of magazines sent to their home or business.)
Tobacco Free Sponsorship
(Five local events, venues, organizations, schools, and or publications that
will agree not to accept advertising, sponsorship and/or promotion/funding
from tobacco companies.)
Reduce POP Advertising
(Two local retailers will reduce POP [point of purchase] advertising.)
Reduce Tobacco Promotions
(One bar, tavern and/or pub will prohibit tobacco company promotions.)
School Policies
(3 schools will strengthen their tobacco policies to eliminate/decrease
tobacco use.)
Promote Cessation via Fax-to-Quit
(Six business and/or agencies will begin using the Fax-to-Quit.)