Planting Seeds for a Healthy Tomorrow

People educating communities about tobacco

PECAT (People Educating Communities About Tobacco) is a coalition of people in Gregg and Smith Counties sponsored by a generous partnership with East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ETCADA) and the North East Texas Public Health District (NETPHD) with a vision to see smoke-free counties through education and community involvement.  There are      PECAT groups in several schools throughout Gregg and Smith Counties with more schools getting on board with the introduction of our newest program, Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU).  In addition, there concerned community partners and members who meet once a month to address upcoming events and direction for the PECAT Coalition.  If you are interested in getting involved please contact NaTusha  Howard, Tobacco Coalition Program Manager, at 903.753.7633 or at nhoward@etcada.com.

The “Tobacco Is Foul” DUCK at the Pink Heals Event in Tyler.
Text Box: Who or What is PECAT?

Winter 2009
Text Box: Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU)

We are excited to add TATU to our list of resources to increase awareness and decrease use of tobacco among youth under age 18.  TATU is a tobacco education program designed to help teens develop strong leadership skills while influencing younger children to live tobacco-free lifestyles through peer-mentoring and education.  We have several schools that are looking forward to beginning this program at their schools in the spring semester of school. 

The PECAT coalition volunteered with the Tyler Fire Department to Turn Tyler Pink in conjunction with the Pink Heals tour with raises awareness for cancer in women on Thursday, September 15th, 2009.  The coalition volunteers took free pictures of “Tobacco-Free     Families” and the DUCK was on hand to remind those attending about the dangers of tobacco.  It was a great success and we look forward to participating again next year.
Text Box: Turn Tyler Pink

Winona PECAT groups will participate in the Winona Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade on Tuesday, December 8th at 5 pm.

White Oak and Pine Tree PECAT groups will participate in the Longview Christmas Parade on December 3rd at 5:30.
Text Box: Christmas Parades Text Box: Dates to Look Forward To

Dec.8, 2009 Winona Christmas Parade

Feb. 5, 2010 National WEAR RED DAY sponsored by

                      the American Heart Association

March 24, 2010 Texas Tobacco-Free Kids Day
Text Box: Did You Know? The National Healthy People 2010 goal is to reduce smoking among adults and youth to no more than 12%, yet in North East Texas 23.5% of adults smoke compared to the Texas average of 19.4%. What can you do to help?