2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

338223
Laying the groundwork for a smoke-free New Orleans


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 2:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

Tonia Moore, MSHCM, The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living program, Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA

  
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Issue: Tobacco control advocates and local coalitions in New Orleans have been laying the groundwork to strengthen clean indoor air laws since 2007, right after the implementation of the state’s Smoke-Free Air Act (Act 815), which eliminated smoking in all public places and restaurants. It, however, did not include bars and gaming establishments. Over the last eight years, emphasis has been placed on education, advocacy, sponsorships, events, and community engagement to lay the groundwork and prepare the city of New Orleans to adopt a smoke-free ordinance that would protect the health of all workers.

Description: The process involved in establishing the smoke free New Orleans ordinance included of the following strategies and activities:  education and advocacy efforts focused on coalition building, grassroots and community outreach, smoke-free awareness events, and advocacy/lobbying to battle the strong opposition from both the tobacco and gaming industries; media efforts included two campaigns – “Let’s Be Totally Clear” and “Healthier Air For All”, branding; and evaluation and research provided an evidence base and included the development and dissemination of data briefs to key stakeholders and decision makers.

Lessons Learned: The role of local champions, smoke-free coalitions and partnerships were instrumental in this success of a smoke-free New Orleans ordinance. Such factors of success included identifying and understanding (a) the roles of key players, (b) the strategic approach taken to secure a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance, (c) the nature of opposition to the law, and (d) the range of tactics and interventions pursued by supporters of the law. 

Recommendations: Provide the audience with a detailed process to facilitate the success of a smoke-free ordinance highlighting such areas as: (1) an education and awareness focused media campaign, (2) collection of local data and research, (3) coalition engagement and outreach to workers, (4) legislator engagement and preparation, and (5) trust.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Discuss and describe the steps and groundwork over an eight year span which led to a successful secondhand smoke campaign in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I oversee the policy agenda for The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) at the state and local level to ensure all campaigns are well thought out, the appropriate community outreach work is completed, stakeholders are engaged and educated, our evaluation team conducts relatable research, and the media campaigns are reaching the masses through our messaging. I served as a co-lead as part of the coalition and on the ground agency in New Orleans.
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.

Back to: 3324.0: Breathing easy in the Big Easy: review of a comprehensive campaign for smokefree bars and casinos in New Orleans