Integration of tobacco control mechanism: Maximizing resources and mobilizing community

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living's (TFL) Community Capacity and Mobilization component focuses on cultivating tobacco control initiatives and improving communities' ability to promote tobacco control from within. TFL's Community Program Grants are the embodiment of this process. They combine the work of regional tobacco control coalitions, media advocacy, youth prevention, and cessation services.

In 2006, TFL conducted a retrospective process evaluation of its Community Program Grants (CPGs). A primary result of this evaluation was the creation of a Required Activities (RA) structure for CPGs. This structure allows TFL to combine tobacco control strategies on a grassroots level while maximizing resources. The RAs are as follows: • RA 1 – CPGs implement one of three Evidence Based Interventions (EBIs) targeting youth prevention (Family Matters, Project TNT and MediaSharp); These interventions are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. • RA 2 – CPGs support TFL's Statewide Tobacco Movement; This includes CPGs' active participation in corresponding Regional Coalitions, promotion of TFL cessation services, and participation in TFL's Statewide Events (Kick Butts Day, World No Tobacco Day, and the Great American Smokeout). • RA 3 – CPGs attend at least three LPHI Center for Community Capacity (CCC) trainings; the selected trainings are based on the needs TFL identified in the previous year's grantees. • RA 4 – CPGs submit Letters to the Editor and press releases pertaining to their activities. This assists TFL in ensuring consistent, positive, and prevalent tobacco control messaging throughout Louisiana communities.