¨ 400,000 people die in the United States every year from tobacco related illness ¨ 8 out of 10 smokers start smoking by the age of 18 ¨ Most young children, by the age of 5 can recognize the Joe Camel character ¨ Secondhand smoke kills over 53,000 non-smokers every year ¨ The tobacco companies spend 9 million dollars every day advertising and promoting a product that, when used as intended, kills ¨ The average age of initiation to tobacco products is about 13 years old ¨ Exposure to other people’s smoke increases the risk of developing lung cancer ¨ Children of smokers have a greater chance of developing certain illnesses such as colds, ear infections bronchitis and pneumonia and asthma ¨ Chewing tobacco causes oral diseases including cancer of the head, mouth, neck, and heart disease ¨ One can of snuff contains three times the nicotine of a pack of cigarettes ¨ Cigars can contain up to 70 times as much nicotine as cigarettes ¨ Secondhand cigar smoke is more poisonous than the secondhand smoke from cigarettes (emissions form one cigar exceed those from three cigarettes)

The Tobacco Control Project sponsors popular “Batting Helmet”, “Kid's Glove Night” and “Storm Card Set” giveaway nights at the Elsinore Storm Diamond Stadium.

The Tobacco Control Project was the force behind the non-smoking policy enactment at Riverside Community College and College of the Desert.

We also sponsor poster and billboard contests to educate kids about the harmfulness of tobacco products.

Ailing Joe Cancer is an example of the not-so-glamorous results of smoking. Here he is making the rounds at the Indio Date Festival.

Friendly Stomparoo was the Tobacco Control Project Mascot from 1991 - 1997.

 

Riverside County Department of Public Health Tobacco Control Project (951) 358-4977 and (760) 778-2222
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