Page 22 - RCBCC Annual Report 2018

RIVERSIDE COUNTY BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

CTCP

Dr. Bobby E. Sheffield, Director
California Tobacco Control

Program (CTCP)

The Riverside County Chamber of Commerce (RCBCC) has joined the California Tobacco Control
Program (CTCP) to reduce the use of tobacco products in the Inland Empire’s Black Community. This
led the chamber to create I.E. Smoke-Out to reduce smokers and secondhand smoke exposure in the
African American/Black community.

RCBCC’s goals are to:

1. Work with local jurisdictions who have a widespread range of outreach with significant African
American/Black populations to assist in the adoption of a policy that would amend, restrict and/or
prohibit the sale and distribution of any mentholated cigarettes and other flavored tobacco
products:
a. Work to restrict the use of Electronic Smoking Devices or ESD products and
paraphernalia
b. Work to restrict the use of flavored premium cigars such as little cigars, cigarillos,
hookah tobacco, e-cigarettes, and e-hookah wrappers.
2. The Chamber will adopt or amend a policy restricting the distribution of free or low-cost tobacco
(including ESD) products.
3. We will work to restrict the distribution and/or redemption of coupons, coupon offers, gift
certificates, gift cards, rebate offers or other similar offers for tobacco and ESD products.
4. We will recruit and maintain an Advisory Board of African American/Black individuals and
community organizations that will bring the voices of the diverse African American/Black
community to discuss tobacco control issues.

RCBCC will raise awareness within the African American/Black community on tobacco control issues
and serve to build the capacity of other tobacco control initiatives. Strategies to accomplish these goals
include recruiting and maintaining a Tri-Countywide Advisory Board of African American/Black leaders
and organizations, community members and health advocates.

Together we will conduct technical assistance and advocacy training for community partners to give
people the skills needed to advocate for themselves and their communities. We will host educational
Town Halls/Forums and information sessions on topics such as African American/Black Health
Disparities and tobacco use. RCBCC's effort to hold educational and informative sessions with
policymakers and elected officials will educate them on tobacco control policies and conduct community
outreach programs in order to build public support and awareness for our I.E. Smoke-Out program.
(Coming Soon - March 2019)
For more information call the Chamber office at (951) 823-0175.