Prevention works. There are numerous examples of public health
campaigns that have been very successful at changing attitudes
and behaviors of individuals. Anti-drunk driving campaigns such
as "Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk" have significantly decreased
the number of alcohol-related auto fatalities. Similarly, public
awareness campaigns which encourage seat belt use led to a
decrease in the number of injuries and fatalities caused by
crashes even before states began passing seat belt laws. In the
area of tobacco use the Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)
movement nationwide has caused dramatic reductions in smoking in
the workplace and in public places.30 When adequately funded over
a sustained period of time, comprehensive state tobacco control
programs have demonstrated their efficacy in reducing tobacco
use. When Massachusetts and California received sufficient
financial resources to fully fund their tobacco control programs,
the programs led to substantial reductions in youth initiation of
tobacco use and declines in overall consumption of tobacco.
A variety of partnerships is integral to the success of a
comprehensive tobacco control program. DHSS is committed to
working with existing coalitions and creating new ones to realize
the goals of this program. Partnerships with current advocacy
and service organizations and legislators as well as community
and business coalitions yet to be developed will provide the
overall framework for this program. In addition, it will be
important to keep local and State policymakers aware of the
tobacco control programs in the communities and progress that is
made toward achieving our goals.
Community partnerships based on geography and/or other
affiliations such as race, ethnicity, age or profession have the
capacity to change community perceptions of tobacco use as
acceptable behavior. Not only can these partnerships decrease
the acceptability of tobacco use - the primary goal of a
comprehensive program - but they can also work to achieve every
other goal of this initiative.
This document may only be reproduced in
its entirety. No portion of this document may be reproduced without
the permission of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services.
© 1999 New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. |
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