MISSION
MOTAC led the County Commissioners in the passage of a smoke-free policy for all Douglas County buildings and vehicles. MOTAC worked directly with City Councilmen in both Omaha and Ralston in the passage of a Tobacco Product Placement Ordinance, which was adopted in both cities. MOTAC partnered with Law Enforcement agencies in Douglas County in 2002-2003, in the completion of 4,425 quarterly tobacco compliance checks, which resulted in the non-compliance rate dropping from 23% to under 10%. MOTAC was involved in the development of a Smoke-free Dining Guide for Douglas County. MOTAC collaborated with Family Services in the development of a Tri-County (Douglas, Sarpy and Cass) Smoke-Free Childcare Guide. MOTAC assisted local citizens in Bennington, Nebraska to establish smoke-free and tobacco-free public school campuses and buildings. MOTAC influenced city officials to remove the “Marlboro Man” from Rosenblatt Stadium. MOTAC has educated area businesses as to the harms of secondhand smoke and the benefits of adopting smoke-free policies, which has resulted in many business voluntarily going smoke-free. MOTAC has provided technical assistance to Cass and Sarpy Tobacco Coalitions to get policies passed. MOTAC took the lead in the development and dissemination of a comprehensive Tri-County Media Campaign in 2002, 2003, and 2004, aimed at increasing awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke. MOTAC provided educational presentations to civic and community groups concerning statewide and local initiatives in tobacco control and prevention. MOTAC was instrumental in the Omaha City Council’s decision to pass a resolution to promote statewide smoke-free restaurant bills in the Nebraska Legislature. MOTAC worked with a major supermarket chain to remove tobacco advertisements on all shopping baskets. MOTAC has recruited, organized and trained youth to participate in tobacco prevention activities both at the state level and locally, and to become effective advocates for tobacco control efforts. MOTAC organized and implemented several city-wide “Operation Storefront” programs; a youth project to survey tobacco product placement, tobacco advertising, and compliance to city ordinances. PREVENTION MOTAC tracks the Food and Drug Administration's proposal to regulate tobacco products. MOTAC collaborated with the Urban League of Nebraska and the American Cancer Society, Heartland Division, to develop a project, which positively promoted drug-free behaviors among Omaha minority youth. Creation of a Summer Tobacco Education Program (S.T.E.P.) Ceremonial burial of tobacco products/advertisement which caused a magazine to stop publishing tobacco ads Mail-in campaign against tobacco advertising in magazines Bilingual youth-led presentations Faith-based Great American Smoke-out educational activities Replacement of in-store tobacco advertising with youth created positive message Was successful in getting “Joe Camel” removed from a local store, in compliance with the Master Settlement Agreement that was signed by 46 states and the tobacco companies Participated in “Operation Storefront” activities; a youth project to survey tobacco product placement, tobacco advertising, and compliance to city ordinances. Addressed the legislature on tobacco issues Worked with local policy makers to put all retail tobacco products behind the counter in Omaha Chicano Awareness Center received World No Tobacco Day grant in 2003 and 2004 Urban League was instrumental in the implementation of Smoke Free policies in minority community (North Omaha). Currently 57 childcare owners have signed and adopted smoke-free childcare facility policies. MOTAC MEMBERS Alegent Health Collaborative Partners: FOR ADDITONAL INFORMATION ON MOTAC, contact E-mail us: info@motac.org | ||||||
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