NYC Smoke-Free Parks and Beaches: Coalition Building and Advocacy Lessons

Audience:

Tobacco control advocates, policymakers, and community-based organizations.

Introduction: 

Despite strong non-smoking policies and record low smoking rates, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in New York City (NYC), and more than half of non-smoking New Yorkers have elevated blood cotinine levels. To protect New Yorkers from the dangers of secondhand smoke, the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City partnered with the NYC Health Department, health advocacy and community-based organizations throughout NYC to advocate for policies that prohibited smoking in parks and beaches. Legislation passed on February 2, 2011.

Key Points:

Employ multiple strategies to leverage coalitions to support tobacco-related policies. Work with a variety of partners and utilize their networks to develop a strong coalition. Develop relationships with the press to increase earned media and garner support from community members and elected officials. Engage elected officials early with your community partners to ensure support for your coalition and policies. Create evidence-based educational materials for a variety of audiences. Use social media to increase awareness and support.  Be prepared to face challenges to coalition building such as competing policy priorities, working with different stakeholders and community partners, and managing the political landscape.

Educational Experience:

Describe lessons learned from campaign to prohibit smoking in parks and beaches. Identify best practices, potential challenges and solutions for building a community-based coalition and advocacy campaign in their community.

Benefits:

Learn strategies for building a strong, community-based coalition to advocate for tobacco-free policies in their communities.