Sustaining Tobacco Control Coalitions Amid Declining Resources

¹ professor of community health at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
² professor of nursing at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
³ professor of psychology at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, Louisiana

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

	Abstract

Mississippi is unique among the 50 states in settling a lawsuit against tobacco companies earlier than the Master Settlement Agreement, devoting a relatively high amount of per capita funding on tobacco control, and avoiding tobacco-control budget cuts. Using a social-ecological approach combining insider and outsider strategies, tobacco-prevention coalitions in Mississippi succeeded in sustaining funding despite serious obstacles. Lessons learned included taking specific actions to embed themselves in the local community, wisely aligning with legislators, choosing courageous and effective champions, and ensuring that people are keenly aware of their existence and efforts. In using these strategies, tobacco-prevention coalitions in Mississippi have become an institution of the community and in so doing helped sustain their funding.

Key Words: tobacco, cigarette, funding, community coalition

First published on November 14, 2006, doi:10.1177/1524839906289820

Health Promotion Practice 2007;8:292.

A more recent version of this article appeared on July 1, 2007


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