Author: Pilar Ocampo

Preparing to Re-Open After COVID-19?

Here’s an Important Step to Protect Your Staff and Customers Ryan Coffman, MPH, CHES, CTTS-M, Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager, Philadelphia Department of Public Health                 The COVID-19 epidemic in the United States has and will continue change the way we gather in public places. Tobacco use […]

New Executive Order Promotes Healthy City Spaces

On December 18, 2019, Mayor Kenney signed a new Executive Order to provide healthy, clean, and safe spaces on city properties and at city-sponsored employee events by making them smoke and vape-free. This new Executive Order will provide clean air for the thousands of employees, visitors, and the public who regularly use city spaces. While […]

Keeping communities safe from flavored vapes



This is an excellent op-ed by Lincoln Mondy, on the devastating impact that menthol cigarettes have had on Black communities, and the connection to the current battle over flavored vaping products. In Philadelphia, we’re taking steps toward ensuring that no other young people become addicted to flavored nicotine products, by restricting the sale flavored e-cigarettes and […]

Smoke-Free Spaces Initiative: Summer 2019 Highlights

In an effort to help increase smoke-free spaces and protect Philadelphians from secondhand smoke exposure, PDPH provided free technical assistance on smoke-free policy development and implementation for partners in academia and subsidized multiunit housing.   Tobacco-Free Campus: Temple University, one of our key partners in smoke-free campus initiative, reached a major milestone, implementing a comprehensive […]

Pregnant and Smoking? PA Quitline can help!

The PA Quitline wants to help you quit smoking. Read the flyers below for more information. The first flyer outlines a special program just for pregnant women, where you can call the PA Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or visit PA.QuitLogix.org) and consult with coaches to create a plan that works for you, while earning rewards to buy […]

My Life, My Quit: Teens Can Text to Quit Vaping

My Life, My Quit campaign poster: What would you gain if you quit vaping?

  A free online multi-state quit vaping program My Life, My Quit launched in July 2019. teenagers can text or call a toll free number,1-855-891-9989, to connect with coaches for five sessions of personalized support. This program is combating the teen vaping epidemic. The increase in teens vaping is alarming, and health workers and organizations […]

Changes to the PA Quitline

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We at Smoke-Free Philly are pleased to inform you of the expanded services offered by the PA Free Quitline as of August 1, 2019! The PA Free Quitline is a free hotline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) to help you quit smoking. Any Pennsylvania resident can call to get free coaching and quit smoking medication – like nicotine replacement […]

Quitting is Hard, But it’s Worth It.

Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to deliver their babies early or with low birth weight, even if they are full term. Babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy or who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth are also more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The Philadelphia Department of […]

Holiday Survival Guide: Smoke-Free Edition

While the holidays can be a time of joy, excitement, and fun, they can also bring up difficult emotions – sadness, loss, grief. There can be challenges associated with our families, stress and conflict, financial pressures, and social situations that can trigger us toward unhealthy behaviors. The change in season can also impact our mood and energy level.  If you don’t […]

Advocacy Institute: #RealTalkTobacco 2019 Cohort



The Advocacy Institute is looking for motivated and smoke-free teens who are residents of Philadelphia to join the #RealTalkTobacco 2019 cohort. The program aims to impact their community by working towards a smoke-free lifestyle for all youth. Teens develop skills in community building, media, policy, leadership, public speaking, project management and receive community service hours, job opportunities, […]