Priority Issue: Tobacco-Free Living
Reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke where community members live, work, and play
Cigarette smoking exposes non-smoking individuals to secondhand smoke, contributes to litter and pollution, and poses a fire risk. Reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke where we live, work, and play will help reduce health complications and environmental hazards.
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Youth Vaping in Fairfax County
Fairfax County youth were more likely than their peers nationally to report vaping nicotine and marijuana in the past month.
The 2018 Fairfax County Youth Survey of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students examined behaviors, experiences and other factors that influence the health and well-being of the county’s youth. Students’ participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County School Board co-sponsor the survey to collect information about youth behaviors that are positive as well as harmful. The data provide insight into the prevalence and frequency of numerous behaviors, including vaping as well as factors in the youth’s environment that have been shown to protect youth from substance use and other problem behaviors.
The Fairfax County Health Department, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and Fairfax County Public Schools have partnered to make the Truth Initiative’s This is Quitting mobile cessation program available in Fairfax County. This is Quitting is a teen and young adult-focused vaping cessation text messaging program developed and maintained by Truth Initiative.
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Key Findings
Updated data, coming soon!
Related Key Indicators
Goal: Reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke and associated unhealthy air contaminants in outdoor recreational environments and multi-unit housing environments.
Objective 1: Increase access to smoke-free parks and outdoor recreational environments.
Contact neighboring jurisdictions to determine best practices for a smokefree campaign for public parks.
Educate policymakers and decision makers on the benefits of tobacco-free living environments.
Plan, coordinate, and implement a campaign for playgrounds, athletic fields, and skate parks by promoting the use of signs that read: “Please, No Smoking.”
Expand posting of signs for all other public park amenities, such as picnic shelters, marinas, golf courses, and trails.
Form a coalition of Northern Virginia jurisdictions to develop a consensus for consistent tobacco-free living efforts across the region.
Provide technical assistance with tobacco control and prevention activities and events for community stakeholders.
Objective 2: Increase the number of smoke-free policies that are voluntarily implemented by multi-unit housing neighborhoods.
Invite property management, housing, and insurance stakeholders to discuss smoke-free housing.
Identify smoke-free housing champions and provide education on its benefits.
Conduct an initial survey of residents in multiple housing communities to identify smoking prevalence and support for smoke-free initiatives.
Conduct residential community forums to discuss smoke-free initiatives and implementation considerations needed for success.
Create a community pilot project for a model “clean air” apartment or condominium agreement.
Design a “no tobacco use” education campaign for multi-family housing providers to include posters and signage in multiple languages.
Provide technical assistance with tobacco control and prevention activities and events for housing providers.
Promote tobacco-free living environments on college campuses.