Smokefree Ordinances on a Shoestring Budget Mary E. Ballard, MPA New Mexico Department of Health Tobacco Use Prevention and Control

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 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…

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!