Maintaining Tobacco Control Funding in Tough Budget Times Presented by: Kathleen A. Mangskau, RDH, MPA Director, Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control North Dakota Department of Health
Overview Policy strategies to sustain state programs Insight in to the opposition’s approaches
Objectives Describe advocacy strategies to maintain funding Agenda setting Policy promotion Understanding the opposition Countering the opposition
Background Youth tobacco use ranks among the highest in the nation Only 10 percent of MSA funding dedicated to health Budget deficit creates challenges to compete for additional funding Tobacco industry exerts powerful influence in state
The Policy Plan Increase the excise tax on tobacco products Maintain funding for local tobacco control programs Increase funding for cessation State employees cessation program Statewide quitline Preventing preemption
Engaging Policy Makers Executive Branch Work with Governor’s policy staff Legislative Branch Secure champions
Agenda Setting National Governor’s Association Policy Team Governor’s policy staff Key legislative leaders Key advocates
Policy Promotion Educate policy makers on evidence-based approached NGA Policy Team Facts sheets Press conferences/news releases Testimony Grass roots efforts
Evidence-Based Approaches Increasing the excise tax on tobacco products Establishing statewide quitline Sustaining state tobacco control efforts over time to build a comprehensive approach Community Preventive Services Guide Reducing Tobacco Use: A Report of the Surgeon General
Understanding the Opposition Powerful influence of tobacco industry Industry agenda setting Questioning the credibility of advocates Nuisance bills Promoting corporate image
Challenges to the Policy Plan 22 tobacco bills Countering bad bills Sequencing of the bills
Countering the Opposition Prohibition bill Age 21 bill Internet tax bills Excise tax
Tallying the Score Successes Increased funding for cessation Maintained funding for local tobacco control Banning bidis Reporting to schools same as other drugs Losses Tobacco excise tax
Major Successes Funding for local grants program maintained Increased funding for: State employee cessation program Statewide quitline
Conclusions Be aware of the opposition’s tactics Use evidence-based approaches to support your positions Develop counter strategies to the opposition