280622
Evaluation of Indiana's statewide smoke-free air law: Utilizing community partnerships
Description: Air quality was assessed in venues that are covered and exempted by the statewide law to measure the public health impact of the law, levels of indoor air pollution pre- and post-law, and potentially highlight gaps in the law (i.e. exclusion of bars). The state tobacco control program recruited and trained community volunteers and coordinated the data collection. The state program also conducted an observational study to estimate the degree of compliance with the law. Coalition partners visited randomly selected venues in their counties that are covered by the law and conducted compliance checks. These two strategies in addition to Quitline data, web analytics and other indicators, formed a robust evaluation plan for the law. Local tobacco control coalitions were instrumental in disseminating educational information to businesses affected by the law.
Lessons learned: Community involvement is an important key to successful implementation and evaluation of a statewide law.
Recommendations: Coalition members and other stakeholders from communities should be involved in the evaluation of a statewide smoke-free air law from start to finish.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practicePublic health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Describe how Indiana planned and executed an evaluation of a statewide smoke-free air law that was not comprehensive
Name three approaches that evaluate the impact of smoke-free air policies
Discuss how Indiana's tobacco control program partnered with community-based coalitions to collect data used to assess the impact of the law
Keyword(s): Tobacco Policy, Evaluation
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I oversee the development and implementation of the program evaluation plan for the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission. Programs include tobacco counter-marketing, community-based prevention activities, policy, and cessation systems change. I coordinated and executed several elements of the evaluation plan for the statewide smoke-free air law, including the engagement and training of community partners.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.