Restoring local control over tobacco products in Washington state

ISSUES: Washington state law prohibits cities and counties from regulating retail tobacco sales and promotions. This legislative tactic, known as preemption, is used by the tobacco industry to shift the tobacco control battle away from communities to state legislatures, where its lobbyists are more influential. Preemption limits local governments' ability to enact locally-tailored policies to protect the health of their citizens. DESCRIPTION: Educating community leaders and decision makers about public policy measures for tobacco control is an effective tactic to reduce tobacco use. The Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO), funded by a grant from Public Health – Seattle & King County, is spearheading a campaign aimed at educating policymakers about the public health benefits of local control over tobacco sales and promotions. The campaign will focus on sharing information about the ways in which local control can decrease youth initiation of tobacco use and increase cessation among adults, as well the need for comprehensive funding for state tobacco prevention and cessation programs. WSALPHO is the collective voice for Washington State's Local Health Jurisdictions and works with its partners to create and maintain a strong local governmental public health system. LESSONS LEARNED: A successful campaign to restore local control must include a broad coalition of supporters, including local officials and public health advocates. RECOMMENDATIONS: Many other states have similarly preemptive restrictions in their laws and should initiate local control campaigns that include a diverse group of stakeholders.