The SmokeLess States National Tobacco Policy Initiative is a private sector
effort that supports activities of statewide coalitions working to improve
the tobacco policy environment with the goal of reducing tobacco use. The
Initiative is a collaborative effort among the nation’s largest philanthropy
devoted exclusively to health and health care -- The
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) -- the nation’s largest
physician group -- the American Medical Association (AMA) -- and statewide
coalitions receiving the grants.
During the first seven years of the program, the RWJF provided approximately
$40 million for educational and policy efforts undertaken by statewide coalitions
in 36 states and the District of Columbia. As of 2001, The RWJF committed
an additional $52 million to the program with the potential of funding statewide
coalition activities in up to all 50 states. Policy efforts undertaken by
these coalitions, which receive additional funding from their member organizations
including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the
American Lung Association, and state medical societies, focus on three areas:
•
Promoting ordinances to reduce the exposure
of the population to environmental tobacco smoke, including smoke-free
work places and public places;
•
Increasing state tobacco excise taxes in order to reduce the demand
for tobacco products and;
•
Fostering changes in Medicaid and state employee health insurance
coverage and encouraging private health insurers to cover tobacco
dependence treatment as part of routine coverage; and
Some of the coalitions also are working to secure tobacco settlement funds
for comprehensive tobacco control programs in their states.
Founded in 1993, the SmokeLess States program has been one of the largest
and most visible philanthropic efforts to reduce tobacco use. The grantee
states have made significant progress in coalition development, public education,
prevention and treatment, and policy development to reduce tobacco use.
Motivated by these successe, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has launched
another round of grants to begin in 2001 to help states take the next step
in their tobacco control efforts.
The work is carried out through state-wide coalitions made up of major voluntary
health organizations; tobacco control organizations; state medical, dental,
and hospital associations; state government agencies; educational and civic
groups; and businesses. The coalition structure that is at the heart of
SmokeLess States grants has been crucial to the program's effectiveness.
This is because each coalition member-organization brings to the table different
strengths and resources which, when taken together, make many victories
possible. Specifically, the grantees and the partnerships they create under
the program should:
•
strengthen statewide coalitions and diversify their
active membership base;
•
develop a plan to improve the tobacco policy environment within
their state with the goal of reducing the use of tobacco; and
•
educate the public about the need for stronger tobacco control
policies.
To help underwrite these policy campaigns, coalition member organizations
contribute matching funds as a condition to receiving the SmokeLess States
grant. No SmokeLess States grant money is used for lobbying-related activities.
The links on this page will take you off the SmokeLess
State's Web site. SmokeLess States does not assume responsibility for the
content of other web sites.
