The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The global acceptability of tobacco use in public has been a barrier to public health advocates around the world. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Journalists Action on Tobacco or Health, and Uinta County Tobacco Education Task Force are endeavoring to eradicate the use of tobacco in all public venues in their communities. By changing this social norm, we plan to decrease the initiation rates of tobacco, especially among youth.

Methods: The focus of these agencies centered on: promoting and fostering changes in environmental policies to improve public health. Education of government officials, schools, boards, community leaders, and everyday citizens about the influence of tobacco's visibility in initiation of tobacco use, especially among minors, helped in facilitating this change. Networking was also a primary approach that was used to achieve these reformations.

Results: Through the efforts of these agencies and their partners, social change is occurring in these communities. Policy change is happening in many different venues throughout the communities, but there is much work to be done. Through policy change, we are changing social norms in our communities, and through changing the social acceptance of tobacco use, we will see less initiation of tobacco products. Knowing that success builds upon success, we can continue to build this towards a tobacco free world.