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 Resources List (PDF) (pdf)

Accomplishments in our County

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

We want to hear from you.

Have you or a loved one tried to quit? What has that journey been like?

Fill out this 2-minute survey and help us to serve you better!

Cessation Needs Survey

Meet the Coalition Chair and Vice Chair

Coalition Chair and Vice Chair:

Veronika Chavez-Brown, Coalition Chair

Veronika Chavez-Brown is a Stockton native, proud Latina, and woman of faith. She is a wife and mother of two, who has dedicated her career to education and community service. With a background in juvenile probation and school counseling, Veronika earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Bakersfield, and her Master’s degree in Education from San Jose State University. As the president of the New Legacy Foundation, she leads efforts to help individuals achieve success while building their own legacies. Veronika also serves as a therapist meeting the mental health needs of those in San Joaquin County. Veronika is excited to take on the role of Chair for the Coalition for Tobacco-Free San Joaquin, where she will continue her advocacy for public health and community well-being.

Kimberly Bankston-Lee, Vice Chair

Kimberly Bankston-Lee is the Senior Program Director of Saving Our Legacy, African Americans for Smoke-free safe places. Ms. Bankston-Lee has been working in tobacco control since 1996, planning, developing and implementing tobacco control and prevention programs for non-profits, county government and health care services such as the Gold Country Regional Tobacco Control Coalition, the African American Tobacco Education Partnership, Smoking Cessation Counselor for Sutter Medical Centers, and the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services.

Ms. Bankston-Lee has assisted numerous businesses and jurisdictions with tobacco prevention policies such as smoke, tobacco and vape free policies with the Sacramento Regional Transit District, and tobacco retail ordinances and flavored tobacco restrictions in the Cities of Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Sacramento, Stockton and unincorporated Sacramento County. Additionally, she is the Vice Chair to the Coalition for Tobacco Free San Joaquin and facilitates the Policy Work Group.

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.