Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program
An Effective Practice
Description
The Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program (MTCP) was created to reduce the impact of tobacco use on Massachusetts residents. The program includes components to prevent initiation of tobacco use among youth and promote smoking cessation among young people and adults. The program is working to eliminate exposure to environmental tobacco smoke by passing laws that prohibit smoking in workplaces and other public places and by encouraging smoke-free homes and vehicles to prevent nonsmokers from involuntary second hand smoke exposure. MTCP works to identify and eliminate tobacco related disparities in specific population groups
Goal / Mission
The goal of the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation & Prevention Program is to improve public health in the Commonwealth by reducing death and disability from tobacco use.
Results / Accomplishments
Since the introduction of this program cigarette consumption has fallen by close to 40%. The number of adults who smoke each day had declined by 18% from 1993 to 2000. Successful underage attempts to buy tobacco have dropped from 39% (1994) to 7.3% (2002). The number of pregnant women who smoke during pregnancy declined 58% from 1990 to 1999. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace, restaurants, bars and private homes has been significantly reduced.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Primary Contact
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Organization(s)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Date of publication
2002
Date of implementation
Oct 1993
Location
Massachusetts
Target Audience
Teens, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities