Smoke-Free Homes and Cars

Every day, children in our communities are exposed to secondhand smoke in their own homes and vehicles. To help educate parents and caregivers of young children about the risks of secondhand smoke, local partners, concerned citizens and students have joined the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to launch a public education and awareness-building campaign on secondhand smoke.

We encourage you to take smoking outside. Don’t smoke in your home or car where children are exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke.

The Cerro Gordo County chapter of JEL (Just Eliminate Lies), the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Cerro Gordo County and the American Cancer Society believe that if parents, caregivers and visitors understand the facts about secondhand smoke and its health effects on children, they will want to do the right thing and take smoking outside.

Learn more about the Smoke-free Homes and Cars Pledge from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

Smokefree Air Act: For complete details about the new Smokefree Air Act, which took effective July 1, 2008, visit: www.IowaSmokefreeAir.gov Questions? Call 1-888-944-2247.

Tips to help you quit

Fact sheet

Read below for cessation resources!

Tobacco Prevention

Organized efforts to curb youth tobacco use in Cerro Gordo County began in the fall of 1999 when the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health and the Mason City YMCA Teen Leadership Group launched a comprehensive community-based counter-tobacco strategy. As a result of that effort, the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health invited more community members and organizations to participate in this important effort.

From that, the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Cerro Gordo County was formed. Partnership members have worked year-round to educate county residents, especially teenagers, of the dangers of tobacco use.

Many high school students in Cerro Gordo County are working on the local JEL campaign. JEL is " Just Eliminate Lies" from big tobacco companies.

The Partnership members are committed to the ongoing effort of reducing tobacco use among our youth. The partnership started in 2002 by organizing the first Cerro Gordo JEL Youth Rally: "Just Eliminate Lies" from Big Tobacco. JEL is a statewide effort to educate youth while trying to curb tobacco use among youth.

Tobacco Cessation Efforts: The Partnership is working with community partners to promote cessation:

Freshstart: Get the information, strategies and group support you need to stop smoking and have a fresh start in life. Coordinated through the American Cancer Society: (641) 422-9085
Quitline Iowa: Toll free: 1-800-QUIT NOW (784-8669). This is a toll-free smoking cessation help line whose trained counselors provide emotional and practical support, free information through the mail, referrals for assistance in your area, optional follow-up calls and encouragement anytime you need it. It's confidential!

Are you interested in joining the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Cerro Gordo County? Read the latest meeting notes and see what we have been discussing. Anyone from Cerro Gordo County who has a passion for tobacco prevention is welcome to join us.

Got a Minute? Give it to your kid! Parenting is prevention! Parenting is one of the best tools against risky behavior among young people, including smoking, which kills 1 in 3 people it hooks! Click on the Got a Minute link above to learn more about the many you can help your children avoid risky behaviors such as smoking and chewing tobacco.

Tobacco Partnership Members - use this media tool kit to help you write letters-to-the editor in support of the Iowa Smokefree Air Act!

What's in a Cigarette?

Smoke-Free Homes and Cars

What's in
a Cigarette?