Policy & Media Issues

Ginger Park, MSKansas Dept of Health & EnvironmentTobacco Use Prevention Program

Main Topics

Tobacco-free policies

Schools

Fairs & Rodeos

Tips for Working with the Media

Earned Media Tools

Tobacco-free Policies Tobacco-free not smoke-free

Working toward policies is not lobbying

Policies help change social norms

Policy changes increase public support of CIA ordinances

Policies can be implemented at schools, fairs, rodeos and businesses

School Grounds Policy

In North Carolina 86 of 115 school districts have 100% tobacco-free school policies

If a tobacco-growing state can do this, so can we!

Strong School Grounds Policy Prohibits tobacco use on all school grounds and

school-owned property 24 hours a day 7 days a week

Covers students, staff and visitors

Includes enforcement

Uses signage to advertise policy.

Offers a cessation program for violators.

Prohibits tobacco industry advertising, marketing and sponsorship on school property, at school functions and in school publications.

Prohibits tobacco-related gear or paraphernalia.

Steps to School Policy

Assess current policy

Find allies to change policy StuCo, health committee, PTO

Draft a new policy

Present to school board

Plan implementation

Communicate policy to school & community

Implement the policy

Conduct on-going advocacy efforts & policy evaluation

Enforcement of School Policy Visitors

Inform community through newspaper, newsletters, Web sites, signs on school grounds

Present policy in positive light Gentle reminder to visitors Policy reminder cards that can be handed

to a visitor who is violating the policy Encourage members of student

organizations, PTO, & other groups to remind spectators of the policy

Visibility of law enforcement at events

Tobacco-Free Fairs & Rodeos

First steps are to work for a tobacco-free day

NASCAR removed the Winston Cup! Start by reviewing current fair

policies and local rodeo sponsorship guidelines

Find allies 4-H, Boys and Girl Scouts, others

Tobacco-Free Fairs & Rodeos

Schedule a meeting with the fair board or rodeo organization

Before the meeting organize your arguments and people

Have kids help present

Present your idea – have a draft policy ready

Earned Media

Free Media coverage

Valuable!

News stories

Editorials

Letters to the Editor

Public Service Announcements

Web sites

Working With the Media

Reporters are looking for stories

You are helping them

Send them information with news value

“Good News” is often appealing

Being informed, friendly and concise is key

When Reporters Call You

Return calls quickly

Find out their deadline

Find out what info. they need and call them back Take a few minutes to gather your

thoughts

OK to say “I don’t know”

Don’t try to wing it

Letters to the Editor

Can be written by anyone

This is the place for opinion

Organize different people to send letters

Give them the topic and a few points to stress

Could organize a campaign to send a different letter weekly

Key Points

Policies make a difference

Youth can have a big influence

Fairs & Rodeos – start with a tobacco-free day

Media can help spread the word and increase public support

Media need you

Resources

TUPP staff

gpark@kdhe.state.ks.us, 785-296-1118

www.kstask.org

www.nctobaccofreeschools.com

www.bucktobacco.org

www.throughwithchew.com

www.tobaccofreekids.org