Identifying and Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disparities

Abstract

Over the past decade, efforts to reduce tobacco use have shifted from a primary focus on cessation to more population-based interventions. Tobacco control efforts emphasize policy change that support the prevention of tobacco initiation, reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, and promote quitting among all populations. Tobacco use has had a tremendous impact on the communities of color and other populations. Identifying these populations, finding ways to assess their tobacco use prevalence rates, describing their disparities related to tobacco use, developing and prioritizing strategies to reach them, and then implementing those strategies have created immense challenges for statewide tobacco control programs. As part of its National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated an effort in 2002 to identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities. Funding was provided to 13 states and territories to engage a diverse and inclusive workshop in a strategic planning process. Indiana was selected for the pilot project, and the resulting strategic plan provides a framework for future programs, interventions, surveillance, and evaluation associated with tobacco-related disparities. This article describes the planning process and makes suggestions for the adaptation of the process.