Smoking & Tobacco Outreach/Prevention Program

Our Mission and Vision

STOPP is a tobacco-control program that works with schools, community-based and faith-based organizations, law enforcement, businesses, and residents of San Joaquin County. STOPP provides education, community engagement, and cessation resources to those who want to quit tobacco products. The program works to ensure all community members live, work, play, and learn in tobacco-free environments.

Coalition for Tobacco-Free San Joaquin provides a community setting for tobacco prevention advocates to discuss policy-level changes and tobacco-use prevention strategies that can improve the health of all San Joaquin County residents. The coalition provides spaces for community members to discuss all things Tobacco and Nicotine Prevention, from our three workgroups focused on local policy, Refresh San Joaquin, and cessation (quitting tobacco/nicotine) services to the recent laws and emerging products. Fill out the interest form if you are interested in joining: Coalition Interest Form

Want to Quit?

Download the Cessation Resources List for local, state, and national cessation services, including quit lines, texting services, phone applications, and other resources to help you quit smoking.

Start your quit journey here! With our cessation (quitting) resources list that will help you on this journey! All services are online, and the majority are free of charge. From starting a quit plan to talking to a quit coach free of charge, the start is here.

Cessation Resource List (pdf)

Accomplishments in our County

On August 12, 2025, San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors adopted a Tobacco Retail License ordinance that prevents illegal sale of flavored tobacco products an restricts establishment of smoke shops near youth-sensitive areas in San Joaquin County.

On October 15, 2025, the City of Lodi amended the city’s Municipal Code to include restrictions and permit requirements for Tobacco Retailer establishments.

On June 20, 2023, Stockton City Council adopted a Tobacco Retail License ordinance that is intended to curb the sale of flavored tobacco and regulate the opening of new tobacco stores in the city.

On November 13, 2015, the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) Board of Directors approved the adoption of a new Smoke and Tobacco-Free Policy. This policy took effect as of January 1, 2016.
The University of the Pacific and San Joaquin County Delta College both adopted a 100% smoke-free policy including e-cigarettes

Meet the Coalition Chair and Vice Chair

Coalition Chair and Vice Chair:

Vacant - Coalition Chair

The Coalition for Tobacco-Free San Joaquin is seeking a dedicated and passionate individual.

Mary Elizabeth, Vice Chair

I am a native Stocktonian that loves Stockton and one of those kids that used to take a note to the market to buy mom's cigarettes. My grandmother died from lung cancer due to smocking tobacco and thankfully my moma stopped smoking. I worked for many years as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist cleaning up contaminated sites and as a scientist for an engineering firm - with schooling in between. I am a life long learner and one of many things I learned while teaching science in public schools is: see something say something. I started speaking up about the inequality I see in our community regarding overconcentration of alcohol licenses and tobacco retail sales in certain areas of Stockton. I am working now full time on environmental justice issues for the Delta-Sierra Group of the Sierra Club and for Stockton Environmental Justice - Education and Advocacy.

Clean Air for ALL!

Meet the STOPP Team

STOPP Team Members:

Brianna Rubio, Public Health Educator

Brianna Rubio is a Public Health Educator with the STOPP Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Chico State University and a dual Master’s in Public Health and Behavioral Health from the University of San Francisco. Born and raised in Stockton, her passion has always been to address health disparities in her community including those related to tobacco and factors that cause these disparities.

Vince Nallas, Public Health Educator

Vince Nallas is our new Public Health Educator joining STOPP. Vince is a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines and currently resides in the East Bay. Vince completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science at California State University East Bay and completed his Master of Public Health at San Jose State University. Vince has worked alongside diverse communities, advocating for equitable access to health and public health services. During his time at STOPP, what Vince is looking forward to most is connecting with our Coalition and community members and fostering meaningful relationships. He hopes to support our community’s tobacco prevention efforts.

Brianna Padua, Epidemiologist and Internal Evaluator

Brianna Padua (Bri) is an Epidemiologist with a passion for public health and program evaluation. She earned her bachelor’s in public health from California State University Northridge and went on to complete her Master’s at the University of San Francisco. Currently, Bri serves as an internal evaluator for STOPP, where she assesses the impact of tobacco prevention activities. During her free time, she enjoys working out, crocheting, and going on walks with her dog.

Samantha Hernandez, Local Oral Health Program Coordinator

Samantha Hernandez recently joined as a Public Health Educator for LOHP at San Joaquin County Public Health Services. Samantha completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at UC Berkeley where she also worked as a Lab Manger in a public health infectious disease lab. Afterward, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Public Health at UC Davis. She is excited to join the Coalition as a Prop 56 funded program and looks forward to contributing to the team’s work.

Haifa Ahmed, California Pathways into Public Health Fellow

Haifa Ahmed is a California-Pathways into Public Health Fellow stationed in STOPP through August 2025. She is originally from Sudan and now lives in the East Bay. She recently graduated from Howard University in May where she got her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She previously worked in the DC Department of Health in the HIV/AIDS, STD department and has a background in Clinical Psychology Research in Perinatal HIV. During her time in STOPP, she is excited to work with the community and further expand our coalition members. With Big Tobacco developing new products and targeting the youth, she wants to empower schools, students, and the community with the resources that are available to them, educate more people about the power they have to enact change in their communities, and hopefully contribute to the overall objective of endgame.