Who We Are
Building a tobacco-free Lake County through education, advocacy, and community empowerment
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a healthier community by combatting the harmful effects of tobacco use in Lake County through education, advocacy, and empowerment for all residents regardless of where they live, work, play, or learn.
Our Priority Areas Include:
Schools
Housing
Employers
Providers
Communities
Families
Our Story
The Lake County Tobacco Prevention Coalition was built on a simple belief — that every resident of Lake County deserves to live, work, learn, and play in a tobacco-free environment.
Funded through the Indiana Department of Health's Tobacco Prevention and Cessation division, the coalition is led by two anchor organizations: Franciscan Health and Community Advocates of Northern Indiana (CANI). Together, they have grown the coalition into a network of 25 community organizations united around six priority areas.
Under their joint leadership, coalition membership has more than quadrupled, two municipalities have implemented comprehensive smoke-free policies, and we have reached most Lake County public school districts.
Our work exists within a broader movement. Indiana's Smoke-Free Air law was signed in 2012, and in 2020 Indiana raised the minimum tobacco purchase age to 21 — victories that reflect decades of advocacy by coalitions like ours. There is still more work to do, and we are committed to doing it.
Our Coalition
The Lake County Tobacco Prevention Coalition is only as strong as the people and organizations behind it. We bring together healthcare providers, educators, faith communities, businesses, housing advocates, policy makers, and concerned residents — all working toward the same goal.
Join Us
Whether you represent an organization looking to make a difference in your community, or you're an individual who wants to take action against tobacco, we welcome you. Our coalition meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month and new members are always welcome.
Together we can build a healthier, tobacco-free Lake County for every resident — regardless of where they live, work, play, or learn.