Tobacco-Related Cancers

Reducing Tobacco-Related Cancers Across San Francisco

The SF CAN Tobacco Teams work to reduce tobacco-related cancers by advancing evidence-based tobacco control policies, expanding access to tobacco cessation services, and developing innovative approaches that help people quit smoking and vaping.

Looking for help quitting smoking or vaping?

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Why Tobacco?

Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer. Because tobacco contributes to many cancers—including lung, head and neck, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and others—preventing tobacco use and helping people quit can significantly reduce the burden of cancer in San Francisco.

The SF CAN Tobacco Team brings together researchers, clinicians, pharmacists, community organizations, and public health leaders to reduce tobacco-related cancers through policy, community partnerships, and innovative cessation programs.

Our Current Priorities

Project Homeless Connect sites: Bayshore navigation center, Embarcadero navigation center, and Next Door.

Supporting Tobacco Cessation for People Experiencing Homelessness

The Tobacco 1 Team partners with homeless shelters, pharmacists, healthcare providers, and community organizations to expand access to tobacco cessation services.

Provides counseling and nicotine replacement therapy through community-based settings.
Brings tobacco treatment directly to people experiencing homelessness.
Continues expanding community partnerships to increase access to evidence-based tobacco cessation programs throughout San Francisco.

Maya Vijayaraghavan, MD, MAS

Tobacco 1 Co-Lead

Professor of Medicine, UCSF

Dorie Apollonio, PhD, MPP

Tobacco 1 Co-Lead

Professor, Clinical Pharmacy, UCSF

Lisa Kroon, PharmD, CDCES, FAPhA

Tobacco 1 Co-Lead

Professor, Clinical Pharmacy, UCSF

Partners

Five Keys Home Free
Bayshore Navigation Center
Embarcadero SAFE Navigation Center
Next Door Homeless Shelter
Safeway pharmacy
San Francisco Health Plan (SFHP)
Project Homeless Connect
San Francisco Department of Public Health

Helping Young People Quit Vaping

The Tobacco 2 Team developed Quit the Hit, an innovative vaping cessation program that delivers evidence-based support through moderated Instagram group chats.

Provides adolescents and young adults with peer support, daily education, and guidance from trained counselors.
Research has demonstrated improved quit rates compared with traditional quitline approaches.

Currently recruiting California adolescents and young adults to participate in the Quit the Hit Study.

Join the Quit the Hit Study

Pamela Ling, MD, MPH

Tobacco 2 Team Lead

Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, UCSF

Partners

HopeLab
Rescue Agency
California Department of Education TUPE program
Oklahoma TSET
South Carolina Department of Health
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Governor Gavin Newsom signing CA Senate Bill 793.

Previous Achievements:

Helping Advance the Menthol Tobacco Sales Ban

One of SF CAN's most significant accomplishments was helping support San Francisco's landmark prohibition on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.

Working alongside community organizations, researchers, and public health partners, the Tobacco Team helped build the evidence and community support that contributed to local policy change and later informed California Senate Bill 793.

Although the menthol policy initiative has completed its work, its impact continues to reduce tobacco-related cancer risk and advance health equity by addressing products disproportionately marketed to Black communities.

Partners

African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council
Breathe California
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
American Lung Association
American Heart Association
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
San Francisco Department of Public Health

Download the latest Breast Cancer Team Update to learn about current projects, partnerships, publications, and recent accomplishments.

Summer 2026 Team Update

Download PDF

Lung Cancers in San Francisco

There is a steady decline in all groups, although African American people still have substantially higher incidence and mortality rates for lung cancer.