Attacking the #1 cause of preventable death and disease: Using CDC's Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs

Currently, 15 states are facing budget shortfalls and some states are taking away funding from beneficial prevention programs including tobacco use prevention and control. It is important that states and local communities continue to receive recommended levels of funding to protect the health of all individuals. Local health departments and boards of health are key advocates for tobacco funding and have the ability to influence legislation that sustains local tobacco control programs. Attendees will hear best practices from local health departments and boards of health. Participants will be engaged through illustrations of how local level support can be effective in advocating for sustained tobacco control programs. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the many benefits of involving local public health officials to secure adequate tobacco control funding. Upon completion of the lecture, attendees will be able to identify steps to engage and or strengthen a potentially dynamic working relationships with boards of health and local health departments to implement steps to sustain local tobacco control programs. Attendees will also be able to operationalize how to implement Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs recommendations in local communities.