Learning Objectives: learn how multiple national health organizations can partner together to further benefit a policy issue. learn to continue to obtain attention for the excise tax issue at the national level.
Abstract: At a time when states across the nation are considering increasing the excise tax on cigarettes, the SmokeLess States Program, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, administered by the American Medical Association partnered with the nation’s largest health care organizations to challenge our nation’s governors and legislators to increase cigarette taxes by a substantial amount. The partners including the SmokeLess States Program, the American Medical Association, the American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians, launched the Challenge at news conference in Washington DC in February. The launch was held at the same time as the national’s governors were in D.C. for the the National Governor’s Association Winter Meeting.
The news conference speakers challenged Governors to use this as an opportunity to dramatically impact health behaviors and create a steady revenue stream.
The launch was a huge success that provided a unitifed, national voice for tobacco policy and garnered national media coverage with the Associated Press, CNN, CNN.com, among others. The launch was the first Phase of the national challenge that will include direct mail to Governors and additional media outreach.
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