Who we are 

The Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes (TACFL) is one of 25 statewide Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities contractors working to change the community environment to support New York State’s tobacco-free norm. TACFL serves Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties in New York State. 

TACFL is funded by a grant from the New York State Bureau of Tobacco Control to the American Lung Association.

Our Mission

To make our communities healthier places to live, work and play. We are committed to decreasing tobacco use and creating healthy smoke-free environments for all.

Our Goals

  • Reduce the negative impact of tobacco product marketing and price promotions on youth and adults at the point of sale
  • Increase the number of local laws and voluntary policies that prohibit tobacco use in outdoor areas
  • Decrease secondhand smoke exposure in multi-unit housing, with an emphasis on policies that protect the health of low-income residents
  • Promote policies that reduce tobacco use imagery in youth-rated movies, and the Internet and social media

Point of Sale Marketing

Tobacco product marketing and price promotion to youth are a known cause of youth smoking. Much of this marketing occurs at the point of sale (POS) in the retail environment and may be largely unnoticed by non-smoking adults. However, research shows youth are particularly aware and observant of POS marketing. POS changes may include display restrictions in the retail environment; reducing the number, type and/or location of tobacco retailers; and restricting discount tobacco sales.

Tobacco-Free Outdoors 

Tobacco use in outdoor areas such as parks, playgrounds and beaches is dangerous to the environment, presents a health risk to non-smoking adults and children and is not consistent with the tobacco-free norm in New York State. Community education is essential for educating the public about the public health and environmental harms caused by outdoor tobacco use.

Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing 

Smoke-free housing promotes residents’ health by protecting them from secondhand smoke while improving a property manager’s bottom line through reduced turnover costs and decreased fire risks. Community education is used to increase public awareness to the benefits of smoke-free housing and the legal right to establish smoke-free policies for rental units.

Smoke-Free Media

Research shows that smoking in movies and other media affects teen perceptions of smoking norms and raises the likelihood of youth initiation. Successful community education encourages community members and leaders to demand that youth-related movies and high-volume social media be free of tobacco imagery.