Sustaining local tobacco control and prevention: Health department teams use evidence-based approaches

Background Boards of health and health departments play a pivotal role in sustaining and increasing local tobacco prevention and control efforts. Additionally, these entities are uniquely positioned to lead and support grassroots movements to create policy, systems, and environmental change to address tobacco use. Unfortunately, many locals want to engage in a tobacco control movement but lack the funding, resources, expertise, and members to be effective. Methods The National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH), the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health developed a funding program to address the barriers and challenges faced at the local level. Since 2008, NALBOH and NACCHO have partnered together to develop the Sustaining Local Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Grant Program. This program assists communities and their coalitions in selecting evidence-based practices for use in sustainable local tobacco prevention programs. Results Both organizations have worked with 16 communities, representing various demographics, across the nation. During facilitated action planning meetings, local coalitions examined the tobacco challenges facing their communities and created an action plan. Many communities have been successful at implementing local policies for adult and youth venues. Conclusions This session discusses the purpose of the Sustaining Locals program as well as the steps communities have taken to effectively address tobacco use. NALBOH and NACCHO's work with local communities has helped move forward a number of local tobacco control policies and provides a model for other communities.