Public Awareness and Media Campaign
March 2011
Campaign history
The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (Tobacco Program)
began running advertisements using a variety of media in October 2000.
There are three separate efforts:
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A prevention campaign targeting youth.
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A quit campaign targeting adult tobacco
users.
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An education campaign about the dangers of
secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke campaign
In December 2002, the program launched a secondhand smoke
campaign that featured ads developed by other states. The ads were
designed to educate people about the dangers of breathing secondhand smoke
and especially the dangers to children. In February 2005, the
Tobacco Program created its own ads, which educate about the dangers of
secondhand smoke to employees and patrons of smoking establishments.
Having raised awareness about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke in
workplaces during previous campaigns, the 2006 “Take it Outside” campaign
educated people about the dangers of secondhand smoke in private spaces,
such as in the car or in the home. The Tobacco Program also hosts a
Web site,
www.SmokeFreeWashington.com, that was launched in December 2002 to
increase awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke and promote policy
change.
Media advocacy activities support youth media
campaign
To reinforce the messages in the media campaign, the Tobacco
Program supports a variety of innovative activities and efforts aimed
towards youth ages 8-18. Support is provided to up to10 county
youth coalitions, guiding them in developing a strategic plan for
changing smoking policies within their counties. Youth receive
hands-on technical assistance in planning and talking with media and
opinion leaders, and in organizing local anti-tobacco events.
A comprehensive approach to fighting tobacco use
Research shows that tobacco prevention programs must conduct a
comprehensive set of strategies to be effective. The Washington
State Tobacco Prevention and Control Program provides services to help
people quit, conducts public awareness and media campaigns, supports
local programs in communities and schools, supports enforcement of
policies to keep kids from accessing tobacco products, and evaluates the
effectiveness of program activities.
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