Community norms that influence smoke-free policy development including media attention, smoke-free signage, public attitudes, and opposition.
For Smoke-free Products, click on the strategy headings below.
Gather and Share Data through Media and Professional Outlets
- Conduct a community assessment through observations, focus groups, and compiling health and population statistics
- Complete local air quality studies and disseminate the information
- Complete public opinion poll and disseminate the information
Know Your Media – newspapers, radio, television, websites, blogs, forums, Facebook, Twitter
Throughout your Campaign
- Develop relationships with key media personnel (editors, reporters, columnists, radio station owners/managers) providing them with educational materials
- Encourage local coverage by key media personnel interested in health-related issues
- Submit newspaper articles and media stories
- Ask key leaders and allies to speak to groups and participate in local shows
- Use paid and unpaid media for a coordinated and sustained media campaign
- Determine and publicize the costs of the problem within the community
- Present in-depth local statistics and studies
- Plan community events to promote and maintain support
- Present local successes through local media and public meetings
After the policy passes...
- 'Thank you' ads to publicly acknowledge policymakers for doing the right thing (i.e., to provide political 'cover')
- Complete public opinion poll and disseminate the information
- Attract group meetings to your smoke-free community and publicize
Know Your Opposition
Throughout your campaign...
- Anticipate, monitor, and expose opposition; keep your friends close and your enemies closer!
After the Policy Passes...
- Continue to monitor opposition forces and specific challenges to smoke-free policy
