The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective:

The West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention (WVDTP) was dissatisfied with the inability to establish local subcontractors with the skills and knowledge base required to be “local experts” in tobacco prevention. The WVDTP was also aware that even though there were groups in the state engaging in valuable tobacco prevention activities some areas of the state were completely void of tobacco prevention activity. WVDTP's goal in the development of the Regional Tobacco Prevention Coalition Coordinator Network (RTPCC) was to provide even coverage statewide and to provide a tobacco prevention expert at the local level. This topic should be of interest to state and national tobacco prevention experts.

Methods:

WVDTP began a pilot project for this idea in one region in the state. After consultation with staff and many partners and positive results from the pilot project, the structure of a regional network was proposed, and submitted to CDC for comment; the Regional Tobacco Prevention Coalition Coordinator (RTPCC) network was implemented in fall 2004, with 10 coordinators; and WV DTP invested time and resources to select, orient and train the coordinators, whose emphasis is in Clean Indoor Air, cessation and coalition building.

Results:

The network has been a phenomenal success (accomplishments include increase in county coalitions and membership size, increase in CIA regulations, increase in earned media, increase in productivity in all program areas), and how it has accelerated tobacco prevention efforts in WV even in just 24 months.