Tobacco-Free Living

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the nation and Washington State. Each year, about 440,000 people across the country and 1,000 in Pierce County die from tobacco related causes. Tobacco-free Alliance of Pierce County (TAP) is leading the Community Transformation Partnership’s effort to create smoke and tobacco-free environments where people live, learn, work and play.

Community Transformation Partnership Goals

• Increase the number of public housing units that are smoke or tobacco-free
• Work with colleges and universities on creating smoke or tobacco-free campuses
• Work with parks in Pierce County to go smoke or tobacco-free

Current Efforts & Recent Successes

• TAP’s 2012 Summit “Tobacco-Free College Campuses: Promoting a Culture of Health” was held on Dec. 7 at Pacific Lutheran University, Pierce County’s first tobacco-free campus. The event was a great success with 65 attendees from 14 educational institutions, along with key stakeholders from health jurisdictions, healthcare systems, military, non-profit organizations, businesses and community members from around the state. TAP looks forward to providing technical assistance and linkages to cessation support to Pierce County colleges and universities who are considering becoming tobacco and/or smoke free. We thank our sponsors and planning committee for making this event possible! Visit the tobacco-free campus page for presentation slides and more information on the benefits of smoke and tobacco free environments.

• In May 2012, the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District adopted a resolution to make their 21 properties tobacco-free. PenMet’s 320,000 visitors can now enjoy their outdoor spaces without the harmful effects of secondhand smoke or litter from cigarette butts.

• TAP and Community Health Advocates are gearing up to provide tobacco cessation education support to Tacoma Housing Authority, one of many multi-unit housing organizations nationwide considering a no-smoking policy for the health and safety of their residents.

Tobacco-Free Alliance of Pierce County

The Tobacco-free Alliance of Pierce County is a community-based volunteer organization dedicated to preventing and decreasing the use of tobacco products in our community since 1999. TAP meets the first Friday of the month, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Allenmore Hospital. For more details, contact Heidi.

Get Involved

• Attend a TAP monthly meeting. All are welcome!
• For more information about tobacco-free parks, schools and housing, contact Heidi.
• Start living a tobacco-free life, there’s help available! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or learn more about free and low-cost resources for Pierce County residents.

Contact Us

Heidi Henson, Tobacco-free Alliance of Pierce County Coordinator
barefootheidi@mindspring.com
(253) 223-7538