Learning Objectives: Understand how an objective tracking system can be used to assist with the creation of municipal smoking control laws.
Abstract:
Problem/Objective: The development of municipal bylaws to ban smoking involves a multi-step process that consists of several objectively measurable stages. The development of these bylaws often suffers from a lack of careful tracking and monitoring by health groups and tobacco control advocates.
Methods: In early 2003, ASH conducted a survey of all Alberta municipalities (n=356) to identify the presence and substance of local smoking bylaws and the status of smoking bylaw initiatives throughout the province. Through this survey and informal data gathering, ASH identified a total of 40 communities that were actively pursuing local smoking bylaws. In reviewing the data, ASH identified six objectively measurable stages of bylaw development (from pre-consideration to implementation).
Results: Using this six-stage scale, ASH was able to offer assistance appropriate to each municipality based on their stage of bylaw development. In addition, this scale allowed for improved tracking and monitoring of bylaw development. A focus has been placed on helping communities move from one stage to the next instead of diverting time and resources to unnecessary or premature activities.
Conclusions: The new tracking system has just been implemented and we plan to evaluate this method and present our findings at the 2003 U.S. National Conference on Tobacco or Health. We anticipate that this new tracking system will allow us to better assist communities with the development and introduction of local smoking bylaws.
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