Goal

To increase and protect tobacco control legislation and policies.

• Serve as a clearinghouse for policy activities.
• Advocate for new policies.
• Assist in maintaining on-going communication and collaboration between the projects and programs on policy and advocacy issues.

Objectives

• Increase local support for existing and new tobacco control laws.
• Assess current support.
• Develop and implement a strategy for increasing support.
• Produce and widely disseminate an annual report card on tobacco control laws and enforcement by city.
• Improve coalition members awareness of local, state, national and international tobacco control policies and advocacy activities.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with Enforcement Committee.
• Ensure that all Tobacco Settlement-funded agencies are trained and provided technical assistance on compliance in accordance with the tobacco control protocols as approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Highlights (July 2001 - December 2004)

1. INCREASED COMMUNITY ADVOCACY FOR TOBACCO CONTROL POLICIES
1. Built a network of tobacco control advocates who respond to action alerts for international, national, statewide and local issues.
2. Coordinated advocacy efforts for tobacco tax and tobacco protocols for Measure A.
3. Provided technical assistance for the implementation of smoke-free housing policies in Pleasanton and Dublin.
2. RAISED POLICY-MAKERS' AWARENESS OF TOBACCO CONTROL ISSUES
1. Surveyed all mayors and city council members on their interest and support for new tobacco control laws.
2. Developed, distributed and publicized an Alameda County Report Card that assessed how well each city has protected its citizens from secondhand smoke and reduced tobacco sales to minors.
3. Prepared a 2004 State of Tobacco Control Report for Alameda County covering smoking prevalence, the cost of smoking, local ordinances and recommendations.
3. IMPLEMENTATION OF TOBACCO CONTROL PROTOCOLS and POLICIES
1. Provided technical assistance, supportive materials, and/or training for successful implementation of the comprehensive tobacco control protocols required of 28 health-related organizations receiving tobacco master settlement funds for capital improvements.
2. Collaborated with Youth and Cessation Committees on implementation of protocols in school-based health clinics and Behavioral Health Care Services.