1. What is your program about, how did it start and how does the program serve the community?
    

2. Does your program participate in community events and health fairs?
    

3. Is this the correct office to call to report an establishment that is in violation of the California Smoke-free Workplace Law (Assembly Bill 13/3037)? How do I go about filing a complaint?
    

4. How is the California Smoke-free Workplace Law (Assembly Bill 13/3037) implemented and enforced in Orange County?
    

5. What services and resources does your program offer for individuals who want to quit smoking?
    

6. What free educational resources does your program have available?

1.  What is your program about, how did it start and how does the program serve the community?

In 1998, Proposition 99 was passed which placed a 25 cent tax on each pack of cigarettes sold in California. A portion of this money goes to educational programs to assist in decreasing the prevalence of smoking in California. In 1989, the County of Orange Health Care Agency Tobacco Use Prevention Program (TUPP) was formed. The mission of the program is to significantly decrease tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in Orange County by mobilizing a broad-based network of community agencies, organizations and committed individuals.

The TUPP program conducts education interventions and participates in community/cultural events in order to increase awareness in the general public of the dangers of smoking and environmental tobacco smoke. TUPP also assists cities and businesses in strengthening their tobacco control regulations and in remaining compliant with current tobacco control regulations and laws. Special emphasis is placed on reducing access of minors to tobacco products and countering tobacco industry advertisements and promotions.

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2.  Does your program participate in community events and health fairs?

TUPP does participate in a limited number of community events and fairs; however, due to the large number of community events, festivals and fairs held in Orange County, it is not possible for TUPP staff to attend all events. If TUPP staff or volunteers are unable to attend your event, free brochures, videos and posters can be mailed to you.

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3.  Is this the correct office to call to report an establishment that is in violation of the California Smoke-free Workplace Law (Assembly Bill 13/3047)? How do I go about filing a complaint?

The Tobacco Use Prevention Program (TUPP) at (714) 541-1444 is the correct office to call to report an apparent violation of the Smoke-free Workplace law. As a public service and convenience to all Orange County cities, TUPP accepts and documents these complaints. Your information is welcome and critical to the equitable implementation of this law. Staff is available to speak with you personally during business hours, or you may call anytime (24 hours a day) and leave a message regarding the business name, address, phone number, type of establishment, whether not-smoking signs are posted, and why the place is not in conformance. You may also write to us at P.O. Box 355, Building 62, Santa Ana, CA 92702, or FAX us at (714) 796-8261. Anonymous complaints are taken, but if you do leave your name and address, a copy of the letter that is sent to the business requesting their compliance will be sent to you as well. A copy of the request to comply letter is also sent to the law enforcement agency covering that geographical area. In the majority of cases, this is sufficient to obtain cooperation. If the offender has not complied in a reasonable amount of time; however, you may file another complaint, and a stronger letter will be sent with the same cc's. Local law enforcement will, in most cases, then follow up using their individual protocol.

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4.  How is the California Smoke-free Workplace Law (Assembly Bill 13/3037) implemented and enforced in Orange County?

This health law went into effect January 1, 1995, and assures most employees throughout California a smoke-free place to work (since environmental tobacco smoke is a "Class A" carcinogen - in the same category as asbestos). On January 1, 1998, the law extended to cover all bars, restaurants with bars, nightclubs, and other indoor areas of entertainment where people work.

TUPP educates the community (including businesses, employees, patrons, city officials, and law enforcement agencies) and answers questions regarding the law, its rationale, what areas are included, and its enforcement. Complaints that are alleging business noncompliance, may be directed to TUPP at (714) 541-1444. At this point, TUPP will document the complaint, send out a letter(s) to the business asking for compliance (with a copy sent to the law enforcement agency in that jurisdiction). Businesses are encouraged to call TUPP to review the situation and consult to improve patron cooperation, to provide materials, to clarify the law, and to provide updates and other support. The majority of businesses do honor the request to comply; but if not, the local law enforcement agency (i.e., code enforcement, police) can then send a letter of warning, make a field visit, or cite as necessary ($100 fine for the first infraction, $200 for the second, and $500 for the third infraction). After the third citation, that business may be referred to Cal-OSHA, which can then conduct their own investigation on the business and, depending on their findings, levy a fine that begins at $7,000 per violation.

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5.  What services and resources does your program offer for individuals who want to quit smoking?

TUPP can provide you with a free quit-smoking information packet that includes an effective self-help-quit-smoking information, as well as a referral listing of Orange County area groups or organizations that offer a support group or behavior modification quit-smoking classes. Additional literature, promotional items, posters, videos, audio-tapes and other audio-visual materials are available on a loan basis from our Resource Center. TUPP staff is also available to provide a brief phone cessation educational intervention.

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6.  What free educational resources does your program have available?

TUPP has free brochures, pamphlets, manuals and posters available on tobacco use prevention, environmental tobacco, nicotine addiction, smoking and pregnancy, smokeless tobacco and other related topics. Videotapes, models, manuals, games and other teaching materials are available on a loan basis from our Resource Center.

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