READER'S WRITE

COMMUNITY ACTION FOR TOBACCO TRUTH SEEKS COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Dear Editor

Did you know that, according to the Center for Disease Control, tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing nearly 440,000 deaths each year and resulting in an annual cost of more than $75 billion in direct medical costs? More than 8.6 million people in the United States have at least one serious illness caused by smoking. If current patterns of smoking persist, an estimated 5 million people currently under age 18 will die prematurely due to a tobacco related illness. Fortunately, these trends can be reversed and many lives can be saved.

Through a grant from the State Department of Health and Senior Services’ Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program, Prevention First has formed the Monmouth County CATT (Community Action for Tobacco Truth). We are dedicated to reducing tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke among all population groups in the county including but not limited to young and expectant mothers, ethnic populations, youth, under 18, and young adults 18-24.

In order to achieve the goals outlined by the CTCP, the CATT coalition will be meeting once a month to develop action plans and exchange ideas to effect change. CATT coalition members will be sought from local community organizations to participate in the implementation of activities such as: monitoring of retail tobacco advertising and promotions; promotion of quitcenter, quitline and quintet services; participation in community education events on topics such as The Smoke Free Air Act, effects of second hand smoke and the effects of tobacco on the body. The CATT Coalition is currently seeking community partners to take action for tobacco truth in Monmouth County.

In return for an agreement to promote tobacco prevention in their local communities, Prevention First and the CATT Coalition will provide our partner organizations with free tobacco prevention literature, Smoke Free Air Act and QuitNet information, signage and the opportunity to have a free tobacco information session for their staff or clients.

If you are interested in becoming a community partner or if you would like more information on CATT or tobacco prevention, please contact Dana DiPaolo, CATT Coordinator at (732) 663-1800 ext. 217 or ddipaolo@preventionfirst.net.

Thank you for your dedication to this very important cause!

Sincerely,

Barbara Sprechman
Director of Community Services
Community Action for Tobacco Truth
Ocean, New Jersey