One State's Perspective & Success Implementing Policy

As the state of Louisiana anticipated the January 1, 2007 enactment of The Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act – Act 815, The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) and The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana (CTFLA) celebrated its success in achieving one of the most significant policy victories for public health in recent history – one that will have a long term, positive impact on the health of Louisianans and the state's healthcare system.

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana (CTFLA) was organized in 2001 as a network of non-profit, state and private organizations with a shared vision of preventing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. Since 2001, the CTFLA has developed into a growing network of organizations, individuals and policy-makers advocating locally and statewide to lessen the fiscal and health burdens of tobacco on the citizens and the State of Louisiana. Partners include American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association of Louisiana, Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, Louisiana Tobacco Control Program and the Louisiana Cancer Control Partnership.

TFL and the CTFLA present a framework for policy implementation and success, with specifics on education, evaluation, relationship building, enforcement, and the ups and downs post implementation. The presentation will (1) identify challenges and strategies involved in working with a multi-partner coalition; (2) evaluate challenges faced pre- and post- implementation; (3) outline Louisiana's community-based strategies for protecting the win; (4) describe lessons learned in implementation, education, evaluation, and enforcement.