Influencing Smokefree Public Policies through A Town Hall Forum

Gallegos, Steven

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Exhibit Hall (Kansas City Convention Center)

Mr. Steven Gallegos, BUS, CLF , Community Services, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Martha Rivera, BA , Community Services, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale, CA

Mr. Michael Olivares, BA , Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Mr. Bruce Nelson, MA , Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:

1.) Attendees will recognize the value of presenting research and data in a public forum for the adoption of a tobacco control or smokefree policy. 2.) Attendees will recognize that a Town Hall Forum presents information that supports local policies created to protect the public from breathing secondhand tobacco smoke in outdoor areas where they congregate to eat, shop and do business. 3.) Attendees will recognize that community members attending a Town Hall Forum is a sign of interest in smokefree outdoor air policies. 4.) Attendees can assess the potential impact and community support for their campaigns for local smokefree outdoor air ordinances.

Cross Cutting Program Area(s): Tobacco Control Policies

Audience: Individuals with all levels of experience who seek to learn about policy campaign strategies to influence local public officials and decision-makers.

Key Points:

1.) What to consider when planning a public forum to influence policy makers to support public health policies. Most often, time limits at council meetings don’t allow government leaders to hear the whole story about why they should protect the public from tobacco. A Town Hall Forum is a way to elaborate and bring out the scientific, health, social, and economic justifications of adopting tobacco control and smokefree policies.

2.) The public, media, and government officials hear comprehensive presentations from health professionals on the science and research surrounding the dangers and potential chronic diseases from exposure and breathing secondhand tobacco smoke.

3.) A Town Hall Forum, sets out the reasons and argues the case, for a tobacco control or smokefree policy to the public and decision-makers. Benefits to a community can include; more people shopping and dining without the fear of being exposed to secondhand smoke, reduced cigarette butt litter, fewer youth smoking, clean healthy air indoors and outdoors where people congregate to eat, shop, and play.

Educational Experience: Attendees will view a powerpoint presentation with a review of the planning process, material from the Town Hall Forum program, still pictures and commentary from the event.

Benefits: The primary message is that there is nothing to fear in this public health ordinance. It creates many proven benefits to the health, welfare, and economy of the community.

196 Influencing Smokefree Public Policies through A Town Hall Forum