| Abstract: | The Los Angeles County Tobacco Control and Prevention Program was significantly
restructured in 2004 to improve capacity for local policy adoption.
Restructuring included creating a fully staffed and trained policy unit;
partnering with state-funded tobacco control organizations to provide
high-quality, continuous technical assistance and training; implementing a
highly structured policy adoption approach; expanding community capacity
building; and establishing local coalitions to mobilize communities. Over the
ensuing 6 years (2004–2010), 97 tobacco control policies were enacted in
the county’s 88 cities and unincorporated area, including 79 that were
attributable to the program. By comparison, only 15 policies were enacted from
1998 to 2003. Expanding policy adoption capacity through program restructuring
may be achievable in other local jurisdictions.KEY FINDINGS- ▪From 2004 to 2010, 97 tobacco control policies were enacted in
Los Angeles County’s 88 cities and unincorporated area, including
79 attributable to the program (only 15 policies were enacted from 1998
to 2003).
- ▪Increases in tobacco policy adoptions were attributed to the
comprehensive restructuring efforts, including creating a Policy and
Planning Unit, establishing key partnerships to provide technical
assistance and training, extensive capacity building, use of policy
organizing tools, and forming coalitions to mobilize communities.
Municipal-level tobacco control policies, such as indoor and outdoor smoking
restrictions, play a vital role in local tobacco prevention and control efforts as well
as in building grass roots support for state legislation.1 In 2004, the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Health''s Tobacco Control and Prevention Program (TCPP) embarked on a
comprehensive restructuring to focus its tobacco control efforts on local policy
adoption in the county, a jurisdiction that has 88 cities and a large unincorporated
area. We describe the elements of this transformation process and the lessons
learned. |
