The Central Massachusetts Tobacco-Free Community Partnership supports communities’ efforts to lower smoking prevalence and exposure to secondhand smoke.
Tobacco use is the #1 cause of preventable death and disability in Massachusetts. More than 9,000 residents die every year from the effects of tobacco – one person every hour of every day. Thousands more are disabled by tobacco use, suffering with chronic illness and pain.
The Central Massachusetts Tobacco-Free Community Partnership, a program of the UMass Department of Psychiatry, enhances state and local tobacco control efforts by exposing tobacco industry tactics, mobilizing the community to support and adopt evidence-based policies, and changing social norms that prevent youth from starting to smoke and help current smokers to quit. These comprehensive efforts reduce death and disability from tobacco use. Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program, the Community Partnership serves as a resource for local coalitions, health and human service agencies, municipalities, and workplaces on tobacco intervention efforts.
Program staff is available to conduct educational presentations on tobacco prevention policy; effective tobacco cessation resources; the effects of secondhand smoke on children and adults; and tobacco industry tactics that target young people.
Learn more about specific projects and initiatives of the Central MA Tobacco-Free Community Partnership.