The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has authorized the SmokeLess States National Program Office to conduct a new national tobacco policy initiative. This goal of this new initiative is to enact state-based, tobacco control policies that focus on the following areas: 1) Clean Indoor Air 2) Tobacco Excise Taxes and 3) Cessation Reimbursement.
This presentation will discuss the role of the lead agency and coalition development in the expansion of the Smokeless States Program. With the changing demographics, it is imperative that all communities become involved in changing the policies that effect poor health outcomes. This new policy initiative requires states to develop coordinated grassroots involvement and sustainability by making tobacco policy a salient issue to community members.
Current tobacco control coalitions will need to expand and diversify their agendas as well as their membership to include a policy component.
The Smokeless States Program is going to use a more broadened perspective to teach its grantees how to involve communities of color and operationalize this involvement. This will be done by re-focusing on the lead agency role and the process of coalition creation and agenda development, rather than the traditional invitation to join the coalition once the process and agenda have been established.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will learn ways to involve communities of color in policy initiatives. 2. Participants will understand the importance of community involvement in every aspect of planning. 3. Paricipants will understand how the lead agency's role and coalition creation are key indicators of whether an environment of inclusion exists.
Keywords: Tobacco Control, Community Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.