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Learning Objectives: Recognize strategies and opportunities for effective community advocacy to counter legislative proposals which impact adversely on tobacco control
Abstract:
The Governor vetoed Bill 255, citing the tremendous opposition from “members of the Guam and international communities.” While some Senators threatened to override the veto, ultimately the Senate let the Bill die.
Problem/Objective:
Mounting an effective tobacco control advocacy campaign to counter adverse legislative proposals can be challenging, particularly when no organized tobacco control advocacy group exists.
Methods:
This session describes Guam's experience in opposing Bill 255 (which proposed to give tax credits against tobacco and alcohol taxes to business entities that donate money to the University of Guam for a sports stadium), highlighting effective strategies and lessons learned.
Results:
The initial local advocacy campaign to counter Bill 255 through a petition failed to gain momentum. Key tobacco control advocates employed the following concurrent strategies, previously never used for tobacco control on Guam:
1. Capturing the attention of popular radio personalities, who facilitated information dissemination and generated public debate through their talk shows
2. Simultaneous media dissemination in various formats
3. Partnership with various groups and entities affected by the bill, including parent and youth associations, agencies responsible for preventing addiction, the medical community, and anti-cancer and anti-alcohol NGOs;
4. Highlighting the youth's reactions to the Bill, through media and electronic dissemination;
5. Personal and electronic advocacy directed to members of the executive and legislative branches; and
6. Activation of international electronic advocacy through Globalink, directed to the Governor and all of the Senators.
Conclusions:
This experience demonstrates how innovative advocacy strategies can empower communities to positively influence policy development for effective tobacco control.
See more of Damage Control: Responding to Threats to Tobacco Control
See more of Public Policy and Advocacy Strategies
See more of The 2005 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (May 4-6, 2005)