The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48501

Charles Levenstein, Ph D¹, Elizabeth M Barbeau, ScD, MPH², and Deborah L. McLellan, MHS². (1) Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, (978) 934-3268, Charles_Levenstein@uml.edu, (2) Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St, Boston, MA 02135

Over the past eight years, the climate for cooperation between organized labor and tobacco control movements has improved considerably. Because of the large disparities in smoking behavior by social class, new opportunities for collaboration are of great importance. Efforts by building trades unions to launch smoking cessation programs, the leadership of Hospital Workers Union in New York in pressing for an increase in cigarette excise taxes, and suits by health and welfare funds against the tobacco industry all represent initiatives that are indicative of progress. Nevertheless, barriers to cooperation exist,some of which are matters of communication and misunderstanding. The public health movement can overcome some of these barriers through educating itself about the fundamental principals of trade unionism and worker rights. This session will include a discussion of these issues and an analysis of interviews with key leaders of the tobacco control and labor movements about barriers and facilitators that may affect collaboration between the two movements.

Learning Objectives:

• To show the parallel problems between building alliances of labor and environmental groups and alliances between labor and tobacco control movements
• to show barriers and opportunities for building collaboration between labor and public health movements
• to teach fundamental trade union principles to public health professionals
• to report on key informant interviews with labor and tobacco control activists

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Environmental Health Hazards

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.