Strengthening your Partnerships & Through with Chew Week Caitlin Mosley, Santa Rosa County Aaron Everheart, Escambia County Melissa Franco, Hendry County

What is a Partnership? Tobacco Free Partnerships- TFP’s A coalition brings together individuals and organizations with diverse skills and expertise to address a specific issue Tobacco free partnerships form to reduce the burden of tobacco use and shape tobacco-free norms so that tobacco becomes less desirable, acceptable, and accessible. They work together to achieve their policy goals.

Why have a Partnership? Changing policy requires many different skills and key contacts in the community. TFP’s bring together the key players in your county to work together towards common goals

TFP Requirements Each county must establish and keep a TFP The TFP must meet at least four times each year Each county must have at least 25% youth on partnership Each county must establish and maintain at least one SWAT Chapter

Who should be on the TFP? Voluntary health agencies Civic, social, and recreational organizations SWAT and other youth organizations Businesses and business associations City and county governments Public health organizations Labor groups Health care systems and providers Health care professionals’ societies Schools and universities Faith communities Organizations for racial and ethnic minority groups Many times the answer of WHO depends on what your partnership is trying to accomplish. You should always strive for a diverse membership of individuals and organizations that bring different skills to the table. Here is a sample list of the types of organizations you may find on your partnership.

SWAT and the TFP The purpose of having SWAT is to involve youth in developing and promoting your policy efforts. SWAT focus is specifically against tobacco industry manipulation; tobacco industry de-normalization strategy. You are vital in educating other youth and community members about the role the tobacco industry plays in our current environment? For example, why is it that youth have to see displays of flavored smokeless tobacco at the convenient store across the street from school? Why would a tobacco company send free prevention materials to a school? We can get others in our community to question the tobacco industry and turn their outrage into support for our policies.

SWAT: Stakeholders in the Tobacco Free Partnership Integrate youth and young adult advocates into overall county work plan Involving youth in policy process Provide leadership roles and the training/mentoring for youth necessary to be successful The TFP is not a spectator sport. You should not be on the sidelines or even at the table watching other adult partners do the work. You are on the partnership because you have needed skills.

SWAT: Stakeholders in the Tobacco Free Partnership How do you know if you are a “stakeholder”? Do you know why you attend these meetings? Are meetings held at times and locations that allow youth to attend Do youth help form and contribute to the agenda? Do youth have a voice at meetings? Are youth asked to serve on sub-committees? Are youth serving in leadership roles? Do youth help plan and carry out anti-tobacco activities? So how do you know if you are really a participating member or stakeholder in your local TFP? Let’s go through a few questions. Answer these for yourself and see if there is room for you and the other youth on your partnership to grow in their involvement…….

How to involve SWAT in TFP More than just updates at meetings Hands on activities to train and educate members Break into committees to discuss activities SWAT members are always welcome and should take an active role in their partnership. Your role is much more than just giving updates of what your SWAT club may be doing. You should be providing suggestions and giving input as to how policy can be passed in your county.

SWAT: Stakeholders in the Tobacco Free Partnership Where do YOU go from here? Talk with your SWAT members Talk with your tobacco staff Find specific ways to involve youth more Follow through on your responsibilities to the TFP Did any of you see areas to improve or grow in your partnership based on the questions we just asked? If so, talk about this with the other SWAT youth in your county. Think of some solutions and share these with your local tobacco staff. Together you can work towards more involvement.

Through with Chew Week & the Great American Spit Out February 20-26, 2011

Purpose of TWCW TWCW is a chance to educate your peers and community members about smokeless tobacco and the companies that sell these tobacco products

Smokeless Tobacco Rates in FL Among HS, 6.4% use smokeless tobacco Among MS, 3% use smokeless tobacco Our high school rates have increased since 2002; much more prevalent among males

Taking advantage of TWCW Educate peers on manipulative tactics of smokeless tobacco companies Educate the community on the types and impact of flavor tobacco products Highlight importance of flavored tobacco policy We can use TWCW to promote awareness of flavored tobacco products and the industry tactics used to market these products.

Flavor is the future of tobacco Flavor is the future of tobacco. If we stop flavored tobacco now we will put a serious dent in the new product development schemes. These products are not advertised as “safe alternatives” as the industry claims. Instead they are advertised as “bridge products” that are intended for dual use. You do not use these products instead of smoking Camels, you do this when circumstances will not allow you to smoke but you need your nicotine fix.

And when lighting up isn’t an option…. Philip Morris is testing its new Snus in several cities. The first picture is an ad in those cities encouraging people to use Marlboro Snus when smoking is not an option….

Skoal uses some of the same messages… Skoal uses some of the same messages….reach for smokeless tobacco when you can’t smoke. This second ad uses sex appeal to target males….

TWCW Game Plan When planning your school and community events, ask yourself: Who is going to hear my message? What do I want them to learn? How do I want them to react? Answering these three questions first will help you plan an event or activity that will move you one step closer to achieving our goal of restricting flavored tobacco.

TWCW Game Plan Events or Activities Store surveillance Community Outreach Media Advocacy Presenting to key groups There are lots of activities your SWAT club can do in observance of TWCW that will support our flavored tobacco policy. You can send our “store scouts” to gather information about how much flavored tobacco is being sold in your community. You can also plan school or community events to raise awareness about this issue. You can raise awareness and encourage people to quit using smokeless products through press releases. You can even plan to present to audiences like civic organizations, parent groups or youth groups to educate them.

TWCW Ideas www.throughwithchew.org For more ideas, you can download a complete toolkit on www.throughwithchew.org.