Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC)

"
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Reduce youth access to tobacco
by limiting the sale of
flavored tobacco products
Haga clic aquí para ver este sitio web en español
Hold Big Tobacco
responsible for their
toxic tobacco waste

 

Are you concerned about new tobacco products
like nicotine pouches?

 

 

Tired of seeing cigarette butts everywhere you look?

 

Worried about tobacco companies targeting our children
with their deadly, addictive products?

 

You've Come to the Right Place!

The Santa Cruz County Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) is a community group that advocates for a tobacco-free lifestyle and environment. The Coalition was formed in 1985 and is staffed by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. The Coalition is open to all community members and currently includes parents, youth advocates, environmentalists, health professionals, and others who want to live in a tobacco and smoke-free community. Together, we are working to:

  • Educate about the dangers of tobacco, tobacco waste and second-hand smoke.
  • Reduce youth access to tobacco.
  • Advocate for non-smokers rights.
  • Collaborate with local policy makers to pass tobacco-related policies.
  • Maintain compliance with smoke-free workplace laws.
  • Train and Engage diverse members of the Santa Cruz community to participate in tobacco control activities.
The Coalition has made lasting changes in Santa Cruz County. Between 2018 and 2022, we worked with all five jurisdictions to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products including e-cigarettes. Since 2021, we've  worked with all five jurisdictions to pass resolutions recognizing tobacco waste as a public health and environmental threat. Prior to that, we worked with local elected officials to pass tobacco retail license (TRL) ordinances in the five jurisdictions in Santa Cruz County. Beginning in 2022, we have added a new area of focus, pursuing equal protections throughout the County against secondhand smoke in outdoor dining establishments. 
 

 

Get Involved!

Meet other people who are concerned about tobacco issues. Share information and resources. Make a difference in our community. Join the Coalition!

Click here to view the TEC Member Handbook.

The Coalition meets every other month on the third Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Call 454-4648 for more information. 

2025 Coalition Meeting Dates

  • January 15 virtually
  • March 19 virtually
  • May 21 in person at PVPSA in Watsonville
  • July 16 virtually
  • September 17 virtually
  • November 19 in person at the Emeline Campus in Santa Cruz

Tobacco Resources

 
In The NEWS

The City of Santa Cruz Joins the Unincorporated Area in Banning the Sale of Filtered Tobacco Products

On June 10, the Santa Cruz City Council passed a ban on the sale of filtered tobacco products, becoming the second local jurisdiction to do so.  We look forward to working with additional jurisdictions on this regional collaboration!

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Passes a Ban on the Sale of Filtered Cigarettes and Cigars

On October 8, the Board of Supervisors passed a ban on the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars in the Unincorporated Area. This is the first such policy in the nation! However, the policy will only be implemented if two other local jurisdictions (the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley or Watsonville) pass similar bans. We look forward to working with additional jurisdictions on this regional collaboration!

State-wide Flavored Tobacco Sales Ban Passes

On November 8, 2022, California Voters upheld Sentate Bill 793, prohibiting retailers from selling most flavored tobacco products. For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health website.  

 

TEC Mission Statement

The Santa Cruz County Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) is committed to promoting and advocating a tobacco-free lifestyle and environment at the local, state, and national levels. We empower our communities to effect individual and social change through education, advocacy, collaboration, and coordination of resources.  The Coalition recognizes individual rights and cultural traditions, while encouraging community responsibility and involvement.

 

Information

Report Smoking Violations
(831) 454-4319

If you want to make a complaint about a smoking violation inside a building, call (831) 454-4319 or fill out this electronic form.

Breathe California also maintains a secondhand smoke helpline for Santa Cruz County residents. Call (408) 999-0500.

Tobacco Retail Licenses (TRL)
Looking for information about how to obtain a Tobacco Retailer’s License? Click here.

 

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