Problem/Objective: Explore a strategy to promote smoke-free laws that utilizes the desire many local municipalities express for a regional approach. By offering local elected officials a forum in which they can network with surrounding communities, a dialogue can be created that addresses their genuine concerns.

Methods: In collaboration with the American Heart Association, the Tobacco Free Lake County program at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center successfully hosted breakfast discussions in each quadrant of their Illinois County. Representatives from communities in varying phases of readiness came to find out what their neighbors were doing, and at the same time, heard the benefits of going smoke-free and of acting locally versus waiting for the state.

Results: Although impossible to measure the direct influence of these forums, the events were successful in that over half (26 out of 49) invitees attended and all received informational folders. It is also important to note that as of March 2007, over 25% of the smoke-free laws in Illinois are in Lake County. The design of the forum has been replicated in another Illinois county.

Conclusions: This session will review the many details that need to be considered when planning your own forum including collaboration with other organizations, press relations, incorporating local data and anecdotes into the presentation, and most importantly, how to get your target audience at the table.