The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72683

Mark Schwartz, West End Neighbors Against Children Smoking Cigarettes, 15 Circle Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901, 415-459-0808, mark@form-focus.com

A Wall Street Journal article published in the 1990's described how smoking rates increased as much as 20% in communities where discount cigarette stores opened up. So when a chain discount tobacco store moved into a family oriented San Rafael, California neighborhood, a small neighborhood group educated itself about tobacco control and fought back. Calling themselves the West End Neighbors Against Children Smoking Cigarettes (WENACC) they held rallies and protests that generated media coverage. WENNAC initially encountered resistance but eventually influenced their pro-business city and county governments to enact two zoning ordinances restricting the location of tobacco stores near schools, libraries, churches, day care centers and in shopping centers and other youth hangouts. They were also successful in getting their city council to pass a local ordinance that requires licenses for all tobacco retailers. This presentation is about the strategies any similar grass roots group (without funding) can utilize in the "David and Goliath" battles against large discount cigarette chains.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe community organizing strategies for zoning locations of tobacco stores. Discuss how health departments and coalitions can partner with neighborhood groups to achieve common objectives.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy,

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.