Tobacco Awareness

Mission: To reduce the use of tobacco products in Bartholomew County.

Tobacco use remains the single-most avoidable cause of death in our society. Cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly one in five deaths in the United States. The Tobacco Awareness Action Team, a dedicated group of community volunteers, has initiated several programs since its inception in 1996 to reduce the use of tobacco products in Bartholomew County, especially among children.

Smoke-free Workplace

Columbus businesses are now largely smoke-free as a result of the team's work. The Tobacco Awareness Action Team has worked with local government and employers to ensure cessation classes and information on quitting smoking is widely available and supported by the community. The team has also worked as a resource for other communities in their efforts to implement smoke-free workplaces and community spaces.

Adult Smoking Cessation

The Tobacco Awareness Action team supports and promotes the Indiana Tobacco Quitline. Training, educational materials, awareness campaigns, and cessation support are among the activities provided.  Group tobacco cessation programs are offered periodically throughout the year. For more information, call 812-379-4927.  A participant fee of $35, which includes the cost of materials, will be taken at the first class.  Classes are limited to 20 participants.

Youth Initiation

The action team has been very successful in significantly reducing teen tobacco usage. High school smoking rates dropped from 23.2% in 2006 to 18.37% in 2008. Since 2000, high school smoking rates have dropped 42% and middle school smoking has been cut 58%. This has been accomplished by providing educational programming for all 6th grade classes and supporting "Kick Butts Day" and High School Heroes presentations in the elementary schools.

Want to quit smoking or chewing? Need help?

The Indiana Tobacco Quitline is available to help. This FREE telephone-based quit tobacco resource is available to all Hoosiers. Simply call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669 from 8 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week or visit the Quit Now Web site for more information.

When you call the Indiana Tobacco Quitline, you will talk with a trained Quit Coach who can help develop a customized quitting plan.  Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to free yourself of tobacco.