Learning Objectives: Identify the necessary skills and/or tools needed to establish collaborative relationships with local law enforcement agencies. Describe the necessary steps needed for implementing enforcement interventions in comprehensive tobacco control programs. Demonstrate results of enforcment activities on local compliance rates.
Abstract: Alameda County Tobacco Control Program developed a five-year project strategy to inform, and educate local restaurant and bar owners on smoke-free worksite laws including enforcement interventions to improve local compliance rates of state laws in Alameda County. Programmatic steps included identifying all bars and restaurants in the county, developing a database, educating bar owners of laws and establishing a hot-line where one could report violations. The first two years of the project included obtaining baseline data, developing complaint logs and tracking of complaints. Educational mailings were sent out to businesses reactively and proactively. Businesses receiving multiple complaints were given on-site education through site visits. At the end of year three a randomized bar compliance check was completed to assess local compliance rates. Years three and four activities were spent on media, technical assistance and training, relationship building with local law enforcement and developing baseline data for compliance rates on the smoke-free restaurant bar laws in California. In the last year of the project, the program incorporated law enforcement activities as an needed intervention (identified service delivery gap through needs assessments) for a comprehensive tobacco control program. The other intervention activities that were included in our comprehensive tobacco program included: community outreach and education; policy and advocacy; media; development of educational materials; enforcement interventions; coordination and collaboration; and technical assistance and training.
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