Tobacco Prevention Program
The Miami-Dade County Health Department, Office of Community Health and Planning, consist of a tobacco prevention program which encourage employees and youth to live smoke free. Below are the most popular activities:
Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) - In 1998, the late Governor Lawton Chiles and the State of Florida sued the tobacco industry due to increasing Medicaid expenses caused by tobacco related diseases among Floridians. The nationally and internationally renowned SWAT program was a major outcome of the lawsuit. Youth throughout the State of Florida have joined together in a relentless fight against the tobacco industry and its manipulation and targeting of youth to use their product. If you are interested in starting a SWAT club at your school, please contact the Office of Community Health & Planning at 305-278-0442.
Teens Against Tobacco Use (T.A.T.U.) - is a youth empowerment program teaching teens to fight back against tobacco use. Essentially, the program turn teens into teachers. Recent focus groups have shown that teens are eager to talk to younger kids about tobacco use. Younger children are impressed by teenage role models and enthusiastically understand and accept the information which they are presented. This program is being offered at the Miami-Dade County Public Schools in collaboration with the American Lung Association. If you are interested in offering T.A.T.U. at your school, please contact the Office of Community Health & Planning at 305-278-0442.
Not-On-Tobacco (N-O-T)- N-O-T was designed specifically for teens, using a gender-sensitive, 10-session curriculum that includes booster sessions. The sessions are facilitated in the schools and other community settings by teachers, school nurses, counselors and other staff and volunteers specially trained by the American Lung Association. N-O-T is designed as a voluntary, non-punitive program for teens. An Alternative-to-Suspension program is also included to address student violation of a school tobacco policy. Typically, groups are divided by gender and are led by a same-gender facilitator. This allows teens to discuss issues that relate specifically to males or females and to express their own feelings and experiences in an accepting environment. N-O-T incorporates life management skills to help teens deal with stress, decision-making and peer and family relationships. It also addresses healthy lifestyle behaviors such as alcohol or illicit drug use as well as related health issues such as exercise and nutrition.
The Smoke Around You Series - These presentations are designed to provide an overview of the tobacco industry, secondhand smoke and the importance of quitting smoking. Currently, we offer three presentations that can be offered as a series or as individual presentations. Each presentation is offered over a one-hour period. To schedule a presentation, please contact the Office of Community Health & Planning at 305-278-0442.
Smoking Cessation Classes - This 6 week series of classes is led by certified tobacco cessation specialists to assist current smokers to become smoke free. All smoking cessation classes are offered in conjunction with Miami-Dade Area Health Education Center. Please visit the following link to register for one of their smoking cessation classes: http://www.mdahec.org
Passport Screenings - These events, which occurs twice a year, are designed to provide staff with cardiovascular screenings and counseling. the screenings conducted at these events include: carbon monoxide breath test, blood pressure screening, American Diabetes Risk test, cholesterol screening, percent body fat and Body Mass Index (BMI).
OCH&P Times Newsletters
Resources for Providers
Resources for Tobacco Users
American Lung Association – www.lungusa.org
Florida Quit for Life Line- 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669)
The QuitLine is a toll-free telephone-based tobacco use cessation service. Any person living in Florida who wants to try to quit smoking can use the QuitLine. The following services are available through the QuitLine:
- Counseling sessions;
- Self help materials;
- Counseling and materials in English and Spanish;
- Translation service for other languages;
- Pharmacotherapy assistance; and
- TDD service for hearing impaired
Miami Hypnosis Center – www.miamihypnosis.net
My Time to Quit - http://www.quitnet.com/
National Cancer Institute on Smoking and Cancer - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/smoking
SWAT- www.gen-swat.com/index.html
Tobacco Free Florida- www.tobaccofreeflorida.com
Quitnet - http://www.quitnet.com/
