What is the Tobacco Prevention Program (TPP)?
The TPP’s mission is to reduce tobacco use and to protect people from secondhand and thirdhand smoke. TPP offers information, education, and training to help people make healthier choices and to improve the places where people live, work, and play. The program serves the many health needs of the community and works to improve the overall quality of life in Fresno County.
Tobacco use, youth vaping, and exposure to secondhand smoke are major health risks. They affect youth, older adults, and people living in apartments or multi-unit housing the most. These problems lead to needless disease, addiction, and harm to the environment.
(Sticky Notes) What We Do
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Tobacco Retailer Licensing
A Tobacco Retail Permit/License helps stop illegal sales to minors and lowers the chance of youth starting to use tobacco. (Change Lab Solutions, 2015)
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Youth Vaping Statistics
In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General called youth vaping an epidemic. As of 2024, e-cigarettes are still the most common tobacco product used by youth. (Jamal A, et al.)
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Flavored Tobacco Products
In 2022, California law banned the sale of most flavored tobacco products. (CDPH, CTCB)
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Tobacco/Nicotine Health Impacts
- Nicotine harms brain development in youth, can lead to heart disease, and is very addictive. Smoking is also the top cause of preventable death in the U.S. (CDC, Lung Cancer Risk Factors)
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Secondhand Smoke
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Secondhand vape is not just water vapor. It is an aerosol, or tiny particles, with harmful chemicals, including cancer-causing metals like lead, nickel, and tin. (CDC, Smoking and Tobacco Use)
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If you are interested in learning more about tobacco retail licensing or secondhand smoke, click here.
Attention Parents!
Nicotine pouches have become very popular, especially among youth and young adults. They are harmful and addictive. Between 2018 and 2023, Zyn sales in the U.S. grew from 6 million to 334 million cans.
How does the tobacco industry affect Fresno County residents and their health?
More than half of students in the City of Fresno live close to a tobacco store.
The more tobacco stores youth see, the more likely they are to try vaping or smoking. Research shows that tobacco ads make youth 60% more likely to try tobacco. (Tobacco Control, 2016)
There are more tobacco stores in neighborhoods that are low-income.
Tobacco products are more common in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. These areas have more tobacco stores, more ads, and cheaper prices, which makes it harder for people to quit smoking.
Students are starting tobacco use with vapes.
In Fresno County, 85% of 10th and 12th graders who used tobacco said they started with vapes. On average, students first tried tobacco at age 14. (California Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023).
Local groups are working to reduce tobacco use and access in Fresno County. Here are ways to get involved:
Get Involved
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Fresno County Tobacco-Free Coalition (FCTFC)
FCTFC is a network of agencies and community members working to reduce tobacco use, secondhand smoke, and thirdhand smoke.
Learn More
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Report a Complaint
Please feel free to contact us using the following information or by clicking the link:
Location: 1221 Fulton St, 3rd Floor, Fresno CA 93721
Phone: (559) 600-6449
Email: DPHTobaccoFree@fresnocountyca.gov
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Send us an email
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Help Quitting
Quitting tobacco is hard, especially during the first week. But the health benefits start right away and can keep you motivated to continue.
Get help
TPP FAQs
Additional Resources
2025 Fresno County Tobacco Quit Resources
Tobacco Retailer Licensing
Flavored Tobacco Products
Health Impacts of Tobacco/Nicotine
Media Coverage
2025
- The Tobacco Prevention Program warns of the rising use of nicotine pouches, which can lead to nicotine addiction and harm adolescent brain development. Read more.
2024
- The Tobacco Prevention Program reports a drop in youth vaping in Fresno County, but flavored tobacco products and nicotine addiction remain a public health concern. Read more.
2023
- The Fresno County Tobacco-Free Coalition supports new signs going up in local stores that expose the health risks of smoking and cigarette addiction. Read more.
- The Tobacco Prevention Program participates in a town hall hosted by local coalitions to address youth vaping and allow parents to learn about the health risks and tobacco industry marketing tactics. Read more.