Smoke-free Homes
Develop Your Program
Local Programs
Like the two preceding volumes, Local Programs Promoting Smoke-free Homes,
Volume 3, provides detailed descriptions of dynamic, local, awareness-building
activities designed to help protect children from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Read about local programs by downloading the PDF version of Volume 3 (22 pp., 3.8 M, about PDF)
- Plan your Smoke-free Homes Program Activities
- Distribute No-cost EPA Materials at Your Events
- Establish Effective Partnerships in Your Community to Promote Your Smoke-free Homes Program
Plan Your Smoke-free Homes Program Activities
EPA has developed a number of free resources, including the Smoke-free Homes Community Action Kit and Local Programs Promoting Smoke-free Homes Booklets, that are designed to help you start a local smoke-free homes program and educate the public about the health risks associated with exposure to ETS. We have also provided a variety of free publications with Smoke-free Homes messages for you to distribute at your events. Visit the Publications and Materials page to learn more about ordering these materials at no cost.
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The Smoke-free Homes Community Action Kit — A One-Stop Resource for Getting Your Program Started
EPA developed the Smoke-free Homes Community Action Kit to assist community leaders in developing local programs. The Kit includes: steps for getting your program started; ideas for outreach activities; tips for promoting your program; resources available at no cost to your program; and, contact and reference information.
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Local Programs Promoting Smoke-free Homes Booklets This series of booklets highlights local Smoke-free Homes activities from across the nation. They provide innovative ideas, recommendations, and examples to use in your community. Read these booklets and learn from other communities' efforts when developing an outreach program in your community.
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Ideas for Outreach Activities
Each community is unique, and different activities are successful in different places. It is important to identify your target audience before planning an event. Below are a few of the many outreach ideas you may wish to consider for your community:
- Hold a community event (e.g., health fair, community baby shower, carnival) to highlight the health risks of ETS and to promote your program.
- Create ETS educational activities for children (e.g., songs, coloring books, and puppet shows).
- Host a Smoke-free Home Pledge Event. Use the Planning Guide for Pledge Events CD-ROM to design a pledge program for your community. This Planning Guide includes customizable pledge certificates, table-top signs, a pledge signature sheet, and a pledge tracking form.
- Work with your local officials (e.g., mayor) to declare their home smoke-free and to issue a proclamation urging families to take the Pledge. The Smoke-free Homes Community Action Kit contains a customizable proclamation that you can adapt for your local community.
Distribute No-cost EPA Materials at Your Events
EPA has materials available to support your Smoke-free Homes Program. Visit the Publications and Materials page for a complete listing and description of our no-cost resources.
The Related Links page also contains information about various partners, EPA regional offices, and other programs that are addressing ETS. Many of these organizations have additional materials and resources that are available at no cost or minimal cost to community groups.
Establish Effective Partnerships in Your Community to Promote Your Smoke-free Homes Program
Forming partnerships at the community level to support your efforts provides many benefits, including sharing program costs, improving your program's visibility and credibility, increasing technical expertise, and obtaining new program resources.
There are several programs that focus on the care and well-being of children and make ideal partners for your program, including:
- Tobacco control programs (e.g., American Lung Association chapters)
- Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) clinics
- Local and county health departments
- Childcare centers (e.g., Head Start), pre-schools, and children's programs.
The Smoke-free Homes Community Action Kit contains additional examples of possible local partner organizations.