State Tobacco Control Plans: Who Falls Outside the Plans?

Background: Health officials and advocates across the nation have developed state-level strategic plans for tobacco control with mixed attention to special populations. The purpose of this study is to review published tobacco control plans to determine the extent to which the needs of special populations are being considered in the strategic plans.

Methods: Websites for the 50 departments of health were searched for published tobacco control plans. Additionally, an internet-based search was completed using tobacco and variations of the following terms: control, prevention, strategies, comprehensive plan and strategic plan. Each plan was then reviewed to assess provisions made for special populations, including women, children and minorities.

Results: There were a total of 20 states that address disparate populations in their published state tobacco control plans and an additional three states that have separate stand alone disparities tobacco control plans. Specific populations considered across these states include racial and ethnic minorities, blue collar employees, women of child bearing age and pregnant women, children under the age of 18 and college students. While several states articulated a plan for addressing tobacco use in special populations, there were also many state plans that merely cited listed the elimination of tobacco use disparities as a goal.

Conclusion: Given the diversity of the nation's population and a decline in tobacco control funding, it is imperative for states to address the needs of their population as it relates to tobacco control, including culturally competent and literacy appropriate ads and materials.