No Smoking in the Country?

Getting Smokefree Laws in Rural America

Sherry L. Tomasky, MAAmerican Cancer Society

Syracuse, NY

Background

A proliferation of Clean Indoor Air laws in larger cities in New York caused us to look at differences in how legislation happens in urban vs. rural areas. Three key differences in rural advocacy How we got the law done Ways we are still fighting the battle

Three Notable Differences

Conservative political views Sparse population/distant media markets Impact of economic arguments

Bar and tavern industry complains Financial impact of smoking on healthcare costs

Political Views

More local laws in the state were passed by Republican held counties vs. Democratic (9 out of 12)

State Conservative Party opposed bill and actively fights it Freedom and rights Economic harm Big Brother

Media Markets

The major media markets are located in the larger upstate cities

Smaller counties – newspapers are most local and relevant news available

Proximity to the small papers can be an advantage or disadvantage Little things make big news in small towns

This article is about a man who sent a letter to some folks about scheduling a meeting! Front page, top of fold!

November 30, 2003

Smoking ban kills local tavern

Law hurts business, forces Cam-Nel Restaurant to close, owner and patrons say.

By Mike McAndrew Staff writer A wake will be held today for one of Mattydale's oldest taverns.

Economic Arguments

The Hospitality Industry… Puts up sympathetic faces with local recognition Has many more active advocates than we do Bullies the business people who want to

champion the law

What Matters?

Money Economic impact on bars and restaurants Economic impact on the healthcare system

Medicaid Dollars

Property Taxes

Costs of Smoking

Connecting Medicaid costs to Smoking made an impact in some small towns, because county budgets were being stressed by Medicaid costs.

Formulas are available from the CDC: Explanation of the estimate that 16% of all Medicaid expenditures are

smoking-related, as well as the explanation of estimate of $351 per capita are attributable to smoking related illnesses can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/statehi/html_2002/new_York.htm

Strategies for Rural Advocacay

Took advantage of “let the state do it”. Asked county legislators to call their state

reps when the state bill gained steam. Sent action alerts to our 2,500 grassroots

advocates via mail and email. Generated over 200 communications to

lawmakers through our website (cancer.org).

Media Advocacy

Lots of media coverage for local campaigns Utilized op-eds and letters as much as

possible Harder to get earned feature stories

Use major studies as springboards Conduct your own research (surveys, air

monitoring Paid ads

Still fighting….

Constant media coverage of bars’ plight Dramatic stories

“I’ll be on the unemployment line with my two kids at Christmas”

Confusion over provisions of the law herbal cigarettes waivers

What you can do

Empower your local elected officials as advocates for state legislation

Use smoking costs as tools to educate Find spokespeople that have strong

connection to local media