UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

The statewide anti-tobacco use campaign conducted by the California State Heath Department represents one of the largest public health campaigns of its kind in the world. The TCP was designed to reduce tobacco use prevalence and thus prevent heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses caused by tobacco use. The strategy of the program is to ‘denormalize' tobacco use. The strategy emphasizes three areas of programmatic activity: to counter pro-tobacco influences, to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and to reduce access to tobacco products while focusing on both social and commercial sources. Cessation is considered an outcome of the program. California's story while a very successful example of the dramatic success of a group of dedicated and hard working individuals with adequate resources is not over. We must build on the gains we have achieved to accomplish the end goal of a smoke-free society.