Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design using key informant interviews was employed. A convenience sample of Kentucky County Judge/Executives and the Mayors of the state's two largest cities were surveyed using a 24-item telephone tool.

Results: A total of 81 officials (68%) participated. Most were male, Caucasian, Democratic, running for re-election, did not currently smoke, and had owned a tobacco allotment. Seven of ten believed the smoke-free issue was a health and safety concern. However, only 37% supported smoke-free policy; 10% believed a local law would be passed within the next two years. There were no differences in support between male and female officials, Democrats and Republicans, or officials planning to run or not for re-election. Smokers were more likely to think that the election year would have a negative influence on law enactment (t[58] = 2.07, p = 0.43). Officials who had owned a tobacco allotment were less likely to think a smoke-free law would be enacted within the next two years (t[37] = 2.17, p = 0.41). In addition, officials' who believed that a smoke free law would be enacted had more contact with policy advocates (r = .24; p < .05) and were more likely to support smoke-free policy (r = .48, p = < .05).

Conclusions: Policy advocates may benefit from knowing what influences local elected officials when planning smoke-free campaigns.