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

Looking for information about how to obtain a Tobacco Retailer’s License? Click here

The Santa Cruz County Tobacco Education Coalition 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 including parents, youth advocates, environmentalists, health professionals and others. 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 policymakers 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 created lasting changes in Santa Cruz County. Between 2018 and 2022, the Coalition worked with local jurisdictions to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products including e-cigarettes. Since 2021, we have worked with all five local jurisdictions to pass resolutions recognizing tobacco waste as a public health and environmental threat. In 2024, the Coalition worked with the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to pass a groundbreaking policy banning the sale of filtered cigarettes or butts! Previously, the Coalition worked with local elected officials to pass tobacco retail license ordinances in Santa Cruz County.

Get Involved

Make a difference in our community by joining the Coalition. Meet other people who are concerned about tobacco issues, want to share information and find resources.

The Coalition meets on the third Wednesday every other month from 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. Call 831-454-4648 for more information.

2025 Meeting Dates

  • January 15 virtual
  • March 19 virtual
  • May 21 in person at a south county location TBD
  • July 16 virtual
  • September 17 virtual
  • November 19 in person at 1060 Emeline in Santa Cruz

Tobacco Education Resources

Trying to Quit? We Can Help.

Find the method that is right for you, from group classes to text message programs.

In-Person Quit Smoking Classes in Santa Cruz County

Freedom from Smoking Class
Dominican Hospital respiratory therapists run an 8-week smoking cessation class in a supportive group atmosphere.
Call 831-457-7099 or see course online 
One-time $85 fee. No fee for Medi-Cal recipients.

One-on-One Local Phone Counseling

  • 831-458-1273

One-on-One Quit Counseling Over the Phone (State and National Helplines)

Text Message Programs

Live Chats

Other Resources

Thriving Youth and Community is a vaping and cannabis prevention program for Santa Cruz City Schools middle and high school age students. It includes three service pathways depending on need: prevention, intervention and cessation. Find more information about the program here.  This is a free program and all services are confidential.  

Breathe California offers the Ash Kickers six-session smoking cessation program. The program helps smokers move through the stages of quitting, which include thinking about quitting, preparing to quit, quitting, and preventing relapse. The program incorporates tobacco education, group support, and ongoing tools to help smokers kick the habit for good.

Ash Kickers classes are led by trained facilitators who are available for support at any time. For more information, contact jason@lungsrus.org.

Spanish Language Resources

Servicios gratuitos y ayuda para las personas que intentan dejar de fuma o vapear

Tobacco Product Waste

Isn’t it time we told tobacco companies that Santa Cruz County isn’t their ashtray?

Cigarette butts. Yuck! They can seem to be everywhere. They’re so common that some people don’t even notice anymore. Cigarette butts are the No. 1 item found on California beaches and roadways. Members of the Tobacco Education Coalition think it’s time for Big Tobacco to clean up their mess. You can help.

Not Just Litter, Toxic Waste

The billions of cigarette butts littering our streets, parks and waterways aren’t just litter—they’re toxic waste. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that breaks down into microplastic particles over time. Those filters eventually leach toxic chemicals into the environment including lead, arsenic and nicotine. There are major environmental and public health impacts from this waste, not to mention the cost to local governments and taxpayers. And now, e-cigarettes have created a new source of pollution, with their battery-operated devices and single-use plastic flavor pods.

A Threat to Children, Pets and Wildlife

Cigarette butts in our parks, playgrounds and other open spaces can poison children, pets and wildlife. They also harm Santa Cruz County beaches and ocean habitats, including the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In addition, tobacco waste is an environmental justice issue. Low-income communities and communities of color bear the highest burden from this toxic waste. These are the same communities that have the highest density of tobacco retailers and tobacco advertising.

What Can You Do?

There are lots of things individuals can do to keep tobacco waste out of our environment. Most importantly, don't smoke or vape. If you do, properly dispose of your tobacco waste. Educate your family and friends about the environmental impact of tobacco products. Take part in cleanups and awareness events. You can also let your local policymakers know that you care about this issue. Tell them that you want to see policies passed that hold Big Tobacco responsible for the damage their products do to both human and environmental health!

Use Your Voice to Make Change

The Coalition is working to educate local leaders about policy solutions to end tobacco waste. We have worked with all five local jurisdictions to pass resolutions recognizing tobacco waste as a public health and environmental threat. Since 2024, the Coalition has worked with community advocates and policy makers to pass groundbreaking policies banning the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars in three local jurisdictions – the County Unincorporated Area, the City of Capitola, and the City of Santa Cruz. Come to Coalition meetings to help strategize about next steps and actions to take. You could help with activities such as:

  • Conducting public opinion surveys about tobacco litter
  • Gathering tobacco litter data
  • Attending educational meetings with policymakers
  • Writing letters, articles and op-eds about tobacco waste for local publications

Tobacco Waste Resources

Flavored Tobacco

Why does a deadly, addictive product that is supposed to be for adults look and smell like candy?

Chocolate, caramel, cinnamon apple are just a few of the many sweet and fruity flavors available in tobacco products. These products use kid-friendly flavors, colorful packaging and low prices to entice young people. The sweet flavors mask the harshness of the nicotine and keep kids coming back until they become addicted.

Santa Cruz County Policy Makers Support Anti-Tobacco Laws that Protect Our Kids

The good news is state and local policymakers understand that restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products is a critical step to prevent another generation of young people from living with a lifetime of addiction. In 2018, the City of Santa Cruz became the first jurisdiction in the County to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol. By 2022, four other local jurisdictions passed similar bans.

Following the lead of local jurisdictions, the entire state of California banned the sale of flavored products. Despite the ban, education programs and enforcement of the policy is still needed. New products, such as flavored nicotine pouches and “non menthol” cigarettes, have flooded the market confusing the public and retailers alike.

Tobacco staff and coalition members continue to educate the public and tobacco retailers, conduct retail store observations, and work with local enforcement agencies to ensure that flavored tobacco products are not being sold in Santa Cruz County. If you see these products in a local store, please contact us at 831-454-4141.

Flavored Tobacco Resources