COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

December 10, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 18, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Brian J. Zamora, Director, Public Health & Environmental Protection Division

SUBJECT:

Acceptance of Allocation Agreement with the California Department of Public Health, Tobacco Control Section

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Health Department to execute an Acceptance of Allocation Agreement from the California Department of Public Health, Tobacco Control Section, for the Tobacco Prevention Program in the amount of $150,000 for the term of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, and to execute all subsequent Acceptance of Allocation Agreements through June 30, 2010.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goals 5 and 6: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care; and children grow up healthy in safe and supportive homes and neighborhoods.

This Agreement contributes to this commitment and these goals by providing funding for community tobacco prevention education activities and the development of policies that reduce youth access to tobacco, discourage tobacco use in films targeted at children, and increase the amount of smoke-free events and venues in San Mateo County.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2006-07
Actual

FY 2007-08

Projected

Number of new policies implemented which designate events and/or venues to be smoke-free.

3

3

BACKGROUND:

In November 1988, California voters approved the California Tobacco Health Protection Act of 1988, also known as Prop 99. This referendum increased the State cigarette tax by 25 cents per pack and added an equivalent amount on other tobacco products. Revenues generated were earmarked for programs to reduce smoking, to provide health care services to indigents, to support tobacco-related research, and to fund resource programs for the environment. The California Department of Public Health, Tobacco Control Section provides a portion of this funding to 61 Local Lead Agencies statewide for implementation of a comprehensive tobacco prevention program. San Mateo County receives $150,000 annually for these activities.

During FY 2006-07, the Tobacco Prevention Program (TPP) was transferred from the Human Services Agency to the Health Department. In the past year, TPP has seen great success on several fronts. The Pacifica FogFest and all Pacifica beaches are now smoke-free and an Ordinance was passed by your Board in March 2007 that prohibits smoking at all County parks, beaches and trails. Program staff continue to promote the benefits of tobacco retail licensing policies and to provide training for classroom teachers on state-of-the-art tobacco education curricula. Youth leaders have been actively involved in conducting tobacco purchase surveys, peer education efforts, and advocacy with local policymakers.

DISCUSSION:

With guidance from the San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition, a collaborative of over 15 partner organizations representing hospitals, educational facilities, community-based organizations, health volunteers, and residents, the TPP has developed a three-year scope of work for FY 2007-10, with four major goals: decrease youth access to tobacco, designate public events/venues as smoke-free, increase the involvement of priority populations in local tobacco education and prevention efforts and reduce youth exposure to pro-tobacco images in film.

Because the State has requested that the signatory of this document be the same person listed as the Official Agency Contact in the State’s Online Tobacco Information System, it is requested that your Board extend signing authority to the Health Department Director for each of the three one-year Allocation Agreements directly related to this Project (FY 2007-08, 2008-09, & 2009-10). County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement and Resolution. Execution of this Agreement was delayed due to the transition of the TPP into Public Health. The TPP operates in compliance with the requirements stipulated by the State Tobacco Control Section as noted in the Acceptance of Allocation Agreement.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Allocation Agreement is July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 and the amount is $150,000. The State revenue and contract expenditures are included in the Public Health Adopted FY 2007-08 Budget. Approval of this Agreement has no Net County Cost impact.