Smokefree Ordinances on a

Shoestring Budget

Mary E. Ballard, MPANew Mexico Department of Health

Tobacco Use Prevention and Control505-528-5110

TIPS FOR SUCCESS Educate! Educate! Educate! Recognize there is a community

need. Recognize that the community is

ready for an ordinance. Get the right people to participate

in and back your coalition.

SMOKEFREE ORDINANCES:

MAKING THE CASE Tobacco Free Las Cruces

Coalition (TFLCC) started in 1995 and continues today.

Includes health officials, experts in tobacco control, concerned citizens, law enforcement, students/interns and veterans.

Making the Case…Las Cruces, NM

Portions of restaurants smokefree –1997

All restaurants smokefree – 1999 Bingo halls and bowling alleys

smokefree - 2001 Expanded to include 50 feet from

entrances and exits of any city owned, leased or utilized building

Current Challenges Confusing because penalty

section is different from the rest of municipal code book

Contains significant loopholes exploited by the opposition (i.e. employee lounges and ashtrays)

Expanding Our Efforts…

El Paso, TX Several years of secondhand

smoke education before the push for the ordinance

TFLCC met with El Paso Health Officials/local coalition to begin dialogue for an ordinance (Jan. 2001)

Expanding Our Efforts…

El Paso, TX TFLCC’s success with bingo parlors

and bowling alleys in NM enhances El Paso’s confidence to get a comprehensive ordinance (Feb. 2001)

TFLCC meets with El Paso Restaurant Assoc. to encourage them to go smokefree voluntarily (March 2001)

Budget…

Direct funding support consisted of staff time and minimal mileage to and from meetings in NM and TX.

Budget…

Recruiting a strong, committed and passionate volunteer base is crucial.

COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

Ordinances that include the total facility as opposed to portions

Easier to educate, pass and enforce in the community

Possible with the right mix of education, support, community readiness and informed policy makers.

Making the Case…Doña Ana County,

NM The only truly comprehensive

smokefree ordinance in NM! Covers bars, truck stops, SNM

State Fair, public parks and 50 feet from where any employee might work (e.g. outside patios, concession stands, etc.)

Making the Case… DAC Ordinance Rationale

El Paso Comprehensive Smokefree Ordinance passed - June 2001

Using that momentum and proximal geographic location of El Paso and DAC, dialogue began between the TFLCC and DAC Commissioners.

Making the Case…The Process

A Champion was identified and educated

County Attorney became involved and developed a draft ordinance

Provided complete 100% protection under the law for all employees in DAC

Making the Case…The Process Continued

County Sheriff was very supportive as the enforcing entity

In a typically very contentious commission, a comprehensive ordinance unanimously passed on February 14, 2002

Budget…

Again, staff time and dedicated volunteers were essential to getting the message to elected officials

Some strategically placed media also supported the effort

Linking Strategies

Meet one-on-one with city councilors, commissioners and the mayor

Phone Calls to elected officials from coalition members

Letters sent by constituents

Linking Strategies…

Solicit the support of your City Attorney for things such as: Draft the Ordinance Legal Guidance Discuss Possible Barriers/Outcomes This position could be friend or foe

Contact your City Clerk for information on:

City Council District Maps Transcripts of public input hearings Copy of City Charter Agenda of meetings General information

Linking Strategies…

Linking Strategies…

Make friends* with City Hall staff for assistance with: Administrative Support Giving packets to each City

Councilor/Commissioner & Mayor Providing insight to process &

situations

*Value, appreciate, & support the staff. It is critical to the process

Finding Your Champion Build a personal rapport with them Keep them in the loop on the process Educate them on the issues Be positive, supportive and

encouraging even when the chips are down

Inquire about needs that the coalition can fulfill

Address those needs in a professional and timely manner

Challenges from the Battlefield

Politics, headlines, editorials and sound bites*

Threats from the opposition Least likely opposition Least likely supporters

*The Good, The Bad and the down right ugly!

Budget…

Staff time Volunteers

Know Your Opposition

The Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce

Liquor Store Owners Local Bars “Switch-hitters” - Mayor was

initially supportive and then opposed improved measures

“Chicken Little” Theory The opposition said that 30% of

their business would be reduced if the ordinance went into effect.

Only two members of the opposition gave testimony during commission meeting. They were both members of the

restaurant association.

Working WITH the opposition

Always be professional Never loose your cool in public You control TV and radio interviews Always do your homework Get help from others For all policy endeavors—

Educate! Educate! Educate!

Overall Outcome

Residents of El Paso, TX, Las Cruces, and Doña Ana County, NM are

covered by some form of smokefree ordinance.

Overall Outcomes…

Regionally, over 1 million people

everyday have some form of protection from

exposure to secondhand smoke

Final Thoughts… Let coalition members know that this

takes time and dedication on their part

Very little funding was available to support the direct efforts in our region

Use strategically placed statewide media campaigns to support the initiative

Final Thoughts (cont.) … This has to be a concerted

effort by a diverse group. Make sure community is

ready for change. Persevere. You will get your

ordinance!