Learning Objectives: Explain the development and functioning of a broad based community coalition to do tobacco prevention programming with youth.
Abstract: The Building, Care and Feeding of a Tobacco Prevention Coalition
Ramsey County, Minnesota (St. Paul) has developed a groundbreaking Community Decision-Making Model. It utilizes the expertise of organizations which have taken the lead in tobacco use prevention for several decades yet brings to the team new, very important partners in the many youth serving agencies who have committed their resources to reducing youth tobacco use. Settlement of Tobacco Litigation enabled the new coalition to plan programming for Tobacco Use Prevention.
The objective was to find the most advantageous, efficient way to reach our designated audience, 11 to 17 year old youth with an anti tobacco message. We used a broad-based community approach, which would encompass many different entities in planning and implementation. We invited schools, community agencies, non-profits and Law Enforcement to join the Ramsey Tobacco Coalition.
A coalition of Public Health, School Districts, Law Enforcement, nonprofit Agencies and Community Agencies was formed to prepare plans and to apply for a grant. Public Health is a countywide organization as are the nonprofits—American Lung Association, ANSR and the American Cancer Society. Community Agencies included Community Centers, Boys & Girls Clubs and Counseling Agencies. St. Paul Police agreed to pilot a smoke free a zones program in areas surrounding school grounds. The goals were to set norms for behavior throughout the county in settings frequented by youth and to reduce and eliminate tobacco use.
The Ramsey Tobacco Coalition has successfully been in operation for the past two years and continues to provide innovative tobacco programming for youth.
Back to Youth Empowerment: Youth Taking Charge of Tobacco Control
Back to Tobacco Use Prevention Among Youth
Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health