Learning Objectives: Explain the value of public health professionals partnering with trade associations and attorneys to further ETS regulations. Identify tools that can be used to promulgate local ETS regulations. Recognize how local media initiatives can play a key role in educating and mobilizing communities around ETS issues.
Abstract: Over 190 cities and towns in Massachusetts have passed local ETS regulations. This has occurred as a result of a comprehensive approach which includes training, technical assistance and community-based marketing initiatives. The Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program (MTCP) funds local programs to change community norms surrounding tobacco use. These programs are staffed at the community level. The process of passing regulations has greatly benefited from the development of the Community Assistance Statewide Team ("CAST"), a group of public health professionals and municipal trade associations working in partnership with attorneys. The central purpose of CAST has been to provide policy guidance and legal education support to boards of health and community-based tobacco control programs as they promulgate local ETS measures. Several of the CAST attorneys, including representatives from the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards and Massachusetts Municipal Association, have worked closely with MTCP staff to develop and deliver a two-day training entitled “Basic Policy Skills”. This presentation will highlight tools developed for the training including assessing community readiness, determining key decision-makers, impact of proposed regulations and tracking testimony. Massachusetts has also utilized local surveys to gather opinion data on ETS measures. Examples of postcard and phone surveys and how the data was used to educate decision-makers as well as the community will be shared. A final component of this comprehensive approach has been community-based marketing initiatives. These local media projects have been used to educate and mobilize communities around ETS issues. Several examples of successful projects will be shared.
Community Assessment Checklist .doc (40.0 kb)
Sample agenda - training for local programs.doc (22.0 kb)
Basic skills outline.doc (23.0 kb)
tracking testimony chart.doc (21.0 kb)
National ETS.ppt (166.0 kb)
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