What is the Rural Three for Tobacco Free Communities Coalition?

The Rural Three for Tobacco Free Communities is a three county community partnership of local organizations and individuals committed to encouraging a tobacco free environments in Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties.

Rural Three is funded by a grant from The New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program. Rural Three is housed locally at the Bassett Research Insitute.

Tobacco use is a public health problem that effects everyone in our community, not only smokers. The key to reducing tobacco use is the active involvement of a broad range of organizations; agencies and individuals dedicated to creating healthy, tobacco-free environments.

The Rural Three will engage in a variety of activities aimed at changing community attitudes and policies with regard to tobacco use and the social acceptability of tobacco use. Target areas include:

• Eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke
• Decreasing the social acceptability of tobacco use
• Promoting the New York State Smokers' Quitline
• Preventing the Initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults.

How Can You Help...

• Encourage your school, health care facility or place of business to have a tobacco free campus.
• Encourage tobacco retailers to reduce, rearrange, or remove tobacco advertisements.
• Encourage local parks and recreation areas to become tobacco free.
• Encourage your landlord to make your building tobacco free.

Join the Rural Three For Tobacco Free Communities! 1-866-3RURAL3.