Richard W. Wilson, DHSc, MPH, Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576, 270-745-6397, Richard.Wilson@wku.edu and Thomas Nicholson, PhD, Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, One Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576.

For about the last decade, there has been increased involvement of faith-based organizations in tobacco control efforts. In addition to supporting anti-tobacco education and smoking cessation, these organizations have begun to participate in coalitions and partnerships trying to improve the policy environment for tobacco control. In the fall and winter of 2003-2004, a survey of state- wide anti-tobacco coalitions was completed in an effort to understand the involvement of faith-based organizations in these coalitions, barriers to their involvement, and efforts on the part of coalition leadership to recruit their participation.

The mailing list for the survey was obtained from the National Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. The questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts and then pre-tested for clarity and administrability, prior to dissemination. Responses were obtained from 35 coalitions. Results provide a profile of the types of faith-based organizations represented in the coalitions, the nature and extent of their participation, and the types of barriers faced by the faith-based groups to join and participate in the coalitions. In addition, results demonstrate interesting regional differences in the involvement of faith-based groups in tobacco control. Implications for promoting increased productive contributions to the tobacco control movement by faith-based organizations will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the presentation, participants will be able to

• outline the general makeup of statewide tobacco control coalitions;
• describe the nature of faith-based organizations in tobacco control coalitions in the U.S.;
• identify barriers to faith-based groups’ participation in these coalitions.

Keywords: Faith Community, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.