Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition
Serving Pearl River, Hancock & Jackson Counties
Building Healthier Communities Together
The Picayune Carver Culture Center supports collaborative efforts to promote healthier communities throughout Pearl River, Hancock, and Jackson Counties.
Through tobacco prevention education, community engagement, and partnerships, the Tobacco-Free Coalitions work to increase awareness of the health effects associated with tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
About the Coalitions
The Tobacco-Free Coalitions provide a forum for community members, organizations, agencies, and other stakeholders to work together toward healthier, tobacco-free communities.
Coalition efforts focus on education, awareness, community engagement, and encouraging environments that protect residents from the harmful effects of tobacco and secondhand smoke.
Our Mission
Our mission is to strengthen community awareness and support efforts that reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke throughout Pearl River, Hancock, and Jackson Counties.
We seek to accomplish this through education, collaboration, community involvement, and the promotion of healthier environments for individuals and families.
Communities We Serve
Pearl River County
The Pearl River County Tobacco-Free Coalition works to increase community awareness of tobacco-related health concerns and encourage opportunities for residents, organizations, and community leaders to participate in tobacco-prevention efforts.
Hancock County
The Hancock County Tobacco-Free Coalition supports community education and engagement focused on tobacco prevention, secondhand-smoke awareness, and healthier community environments.
Jackson County
The Jackson County Tobacco-Free Coalition encourages collaborative community efforts that increase tobacco-prevention awareness and support environments where residents can live, work, learn, and gather with reduced exposure to tobacco smoke.
Our Focus Areas
Tobacco Prevention & Education
Providing community education and increasing awareness about tobacco use, nicotine products, secondhand smoke, and their potential effects on individual and community health.
Smoke-Free & Tobacco-Free Environments
Supporting community conversations and educational efforts concerning the benefits of smoke-free and tobacco-free environments.
Youth Prevention & Engagement
Encouraging prevention-focused education that helps young people understand the health risks associated with tobacco and nicotine use and supports healthy decision-making.
Community Outreach
Connecting with residents, organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders through educational activities, informational resources, meetings, and community events.
Community Partnerships
Building meaningful relationships with individuals and organizations interested in improving community health and advancing tobacco-prevention education.
Why Tobacco Prevention Matters
Tobacco prevention is an important part of building healthier communities. Education and community involvement can help individuals better understand tobacco-related health risks and make informed decisions about their health.
Creating greater awareness of secondhand-smoke exposure can also help communities consider ways to provide healthier environments for children, families, employees, visitors, and residents.
Get Involved
Your Voice Can Make a Difference
Community participation is an important part of tobacco-prevention efforts. Residents, parents, youth advocates, educators, health professionals, faith-based organizations, businesses, local leaders, nonprofit organizations, and other interested community members are encouraged to learn more and become involved.
Participation may include:
Attending coalition meetings
Supporting community education
Participating in outreach activities
Sharing tobacco-prevention resources
Helping increase community awareness
Supporting healthier, tobacco-free environments
Resources
Visit this section for tobacco-prevention information, educational materials, community resources, and additional information related to smoke-free and tobacco-free environments.
Stay Connected
Help us continue building healthier communities throughout Pearl River, Hancock, and Jackson Counties.
Whether you are a resident, parent, educator, community organization, business, faith leader, health professional, or local advocate, there is an opportunity to become engaged in tobacco-prevention efforts.
Contact Us
Picayune Carver Culture Center
Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition
Serving Pearl River, Hancock & Jackson Counties
Phone: 601-590-8983
Email: PCCC@picayunecarverculturecenter.org
Address: 1421 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune, MS 39466 (Education Bldg.)
Resources
Mississippi Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Resources
The Pearl River, Hancock, and Jackson Counties Tobacco-Free Coalitions encourage individuals, families, youth, healthcare professionals, and community partners to use reliable public-health information when seeking tobacco-prevention and cessation support.
The Mississippi State Department of Health provides health information and resources for Mississippi residents, including tobacco and vaping cessation assistance. [msdh.ms.gov], [msdh.ms.gov]
VISIT MISSISSIPPI STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Quit Smoking or Vaping
The Mississippi State Department of Health provides access to the Tobacco Quitline, which offers free online or telephone coaching and support. The Quitline can also connect eligible adults age 18 and older with nicotine gum or patches at no cost. [msdh.ms.gov]
Call: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) [msdh.ms.gov]
GET HELP QUITTING
Youth Tobacco & Vaping Resources
Young people who want help quitting can access resources identified by Mississippi State Department of Health, including Smoke-Free Teens information and guidance specifically addressing quitting vaping. MSDH also lists a free text-support option for teens. [msdh.ms.gov]
YOUTH QUIT RESOURCES
Healthcare Provider Forms & Referral Resources
Healthcare providers can access an official Quitline Referral Form through the Mississippi State Department of Health. MSDH identifies this form as a referral form for faxing. [msdh.ms.gov]
QUITLINE REFERRAL FORM
Additional Health Resources
Visitors can also use the main Mississippi State Department of Health website to locate additional health information, services, public-health resources, and forms. The MSDH homepage currently provides access to resources such as health services referrals, vital records, immunizations, WIC, chronic disease prevention, and other statewide health information. [msdh.ms.gov]
EXPLORE MSDH RESOURCES
Need More Information?
For information about tobacco-prevention activities and coalition involvement in Pearl River, Hancock, or Jackson County, contact the Picayune Carver Culture Center Tobacco-Free Coalition.