Title: Communities of Color
1Communities of Color Clean Indoor Air
PoliciesChallenges Opportunities
- Elva Yañez
- The Praxis Project
- November 2002
2Overview
- Research Findings
- Analysis Interpretation
- Challenges to Overcome
- Recommendations Tactics
- Recommendations Data
- Policy Advocacy Framework
- Grassroots Approach
- Conclusions
3Research
- Secondhand Smoke (SHS)
- Exposure Rates Among
- Racial/Ethnic Groups
4SHS Exposure Data SourcesSource CDC Tobacco
Information andPrevention Source (TIPS)
- Adult Tobacco Survey (State)
- Adult Use of Tobacco Survey (National)
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
(State) - Current Population Survey (National State)
- National Health Nutrition Examination Survey
(National) - National Youth Tobacco Survey (National)
- Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System
(State) - Youth Tobacco Survey (State)
5Surgeon Generals Report on Tobacco Use Among
U.S. Racial /Ethnic Minority Groups (1998)
- Data on exposure to environmental tobacco smoke
(ETS) among members of U.S. racial/ethnic
minority groups are extremely limited. - Despite the number of data sets with SHS data and
the passage of five years, this assessment
remains true
6SHS Exposure ResearchCurrent Population Survey
- Continuous monthly survey of 100,000 American
workers, focusing on labor force indicators for
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Tobacco Use Supplement developed by NCI assessed,
among other things, presence restrictiveness of
workplace smoking policies in 1993, 1996 and
1999. - Universe included African Americans, Latinos,
Asian/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans
7Smokefree Workplace Policy CoverageSource
Current Population Survey 1995-1996,
1998-1999Prepared by California Dept. of Health
Services, Tobacco Control Section, January, 2002
8SHS Exposure Research Current Population Survey
Findings
- Among the various racial/ethnic groups, American
Indians and Latinos are less likely to be covered
by a complete smokefree workplace policy than
other racial/ethnic groups - Inequities in exposure are persistent over time
- Findings consistent with California Tobacco
Survey data
9Understanding High Rates of Exposure to
Secondhand Smoke Among People of Color
- Many white collar workplaces go smokefree
voluntarily blue collar and service
industrieswhere large numbers of people of color
are employedare less likely to do so - Local and state clean indoor air laws often
exempt restaurants and bars, hotel/motel
industry, warehouses, etc.
10Understanding High Rates of Exposure to
Secondhand Smoke Among People of Color
- Workplace power dynamics, compounded in some
cases by immigration status or language
difficulties, present barriers to seeking
protections against SHS in the workplace - Lack of resources to support clean indoor air
policy advocacy infrastructure and activity in
communities of color
11Research
- Opinion Data on
- Secondhand Smoke
- Clean Indoor Air Policies
12Data Sources Source Surgeon Generals Report on
Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial /Ethnic Minority
Groups
- Current Population Survey
- ABC News/Washington Post (Roper Center for Public
Opinion Research, 1993) - California Tobacco Survey
- Market Strategies
13SHS Opinion Research Market Strategies Public
Opinion Poll
- Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
conducted in 2002 by Market Strategies to provide
a basis for message development by the Campaign
for Tobacco Free Kids and Americans for
Nonsmokers Rights - Universe of 905 individuals over sampling of
African Americans (101) and Latinos (103)
14Market Strategies Survey Findings Hazard vs.
Annoyance
- Compared to White voters, African American and
Latino voters are more likely to believe that
secondhand smoke is more of a health hazard than
an annoyance
15Would you say that secondhand smoke is more of a
health hazard, or more of an annoyance to people?
Source Market Strategies Survey, 2002
Health Hazard or Annoyance
16Market Strategies Survey Findings Occupational
Risks
- More so than White voters, African American and
Latino voters believe that secondhand smoke is a
serious health hazard for hospitality and office
workers
17Here are some situations where people may be
exposed to SHS. For each situation would you say
that SHS is a serious health hazard, a moderate
health hazard, a minor health hazard or not a
health hazard Source Market Strategies Survey,
2002
Occupational Risks
18Market Strategies Survey Findings Workers Rights
- More so than White voters, African American and
Latino voters believe that waiters and other
restaurant workers have no choice about SHS
exposure and deserve the same protections as
other workers
19A. Waiters other restaurant employees have no
choice about exposure to SHS deserve the same
workplace protections afforded to others.B.
Waiters other restaurant employees have a
choice as to where they work, know when they
apply for a job that they will be exposed to SHS
and should make employment decisions with that in
mind.Source Market Strategies Survey, 2002
Workers Rights
20Market Strategies Survey Findings Nonsmokers
Rights
- More so than White voters, African American and
Latino voters believe that it is the right of
nonsmokers to breathe clean air where they shop,
work and eat
21A. Although SHS is a serious health hazard, most
people are not exposed long enough to cause
problems.B. Although many people are not exposed
to SHS for long periods, even a small amount is
hazardous and it is the right of nonsmokers to
breathe clean air.Source Market Strategies
Survey, 2002
Nonsmokers Rights
22Market Strategies Survey Findings Support
forSmokefree Laws
- Support for laws prohibiting smoking in indoor
places (workplaces, public places and
restaurants) is stronger among African American
and Latino voters than White voters.
23Would you support or oppose a law that would
prohibit smoking in most indoor places, including
workplaces, public buildings and restaurants, but
excluding bars? Source Market Strategies
Survey, 2002
Support For Smokefree Laws
Ethnicity
Gender
Total numbers are rounded
24Market Strategies Survey Findings Government
Responsibility
- White voters prefer municipal smokefree policies
while African American and Latino voters favor
state smokefree policies
25Which level of government should be mainly
responsible for setting smoking policies for
public places, including workplaces and
restaurants the state government or the local
government? Source Market Strategies Survey,
2002
Support For Smokefree Laws
26Research
27Supportive Research FindingsSource California
Tobacco Surveys, California Dept. of Health
Services, Tobacco Control Section, 1992-999
- The California Tobacco Survey found higher rates
of smokefree homes among Latinos and
Asian/Pacific Islanders than Whites and African
Americans.
28Children and Adolescents Living in Smokefree
Homes, by Race/Ethnicity Source California
Tobacco Surveys, California Dept. of Health
Services, Tobacco Control Section, 1992-999
29Supportive Research FindingsSource Legacy First
Look Report 6 Youth Exposure to Environmental
Tobacco Smoke, American Legacy Foundation, 1999
- American Legacy Foundation research (1999
National Youth Tobacco Survey and the Legacy
Media Tracking Survey) found that Latino youth
have the least amount of home-based SHS exposure,
followed by Whites and African Americans.
30Analysis of Research Findings
- Disproportionate rates of occupational SHS
exposure for specific communities of color even
with improvements in coverage over time,
inequities persist - There are significant cultural differences in the
understanding of - health risks associated with secondhand smoke
- workers rights and nonsmokers rights
- support for smokefree laws
- role of government in protecting the public from
the dangers of secondhand smoke
31Analysis of Research Findings
- Data suggest the greatest need regarding
occupational SHS exposure in many African
American and Latino communities may be policy
advocacy infrastructure and capacity building,
not education - Data support the allocation of resources for
smokefree policy initiatives in Latino and
African American communities - Cultural differences in attitudes and beliefs
reinforce the need for culturally competent
organizing strategies, tactics, and media
messages
32Unrealized Opportunity
- Strong support for clean indoor air policies
coupled with high rates of exposure provide a
significant opportunity for organizing around the
issue of secondhand smoke in communities of color - Nonetheless
33Tobacco Controls Challenge
- Communities of color have not received the
support and resources to build infrastructure,
organize and mobilize for effective clean indoor
air campaigns - Mainstream coalitions have convincingly
demonstrated that sustained support and resources
are pre-requisites to successful action on this
issue.
34Notable Campaigns in Communities of Color
- Las Cruces, NM
- Albany, GA
- Bethel, AK
- El Paso, TX
35Other Challenges to Overcome
- Competing priorities with regard to social and
health issues - Exclusive institutional structures (govt
agencies, funder requirements, independent sector
organizations, mainstream coalitions) - Limited available data specific to racial/ethnic
groups (lack of state specific data, data
regarding non-voters, etc.) - Tobacco industry sponsorship philanthropy
36Culturally Competent OrganizingRecommended
Tactics
- Frame tobacco control as a window of opportunity
for community empowerment - Frame secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace
as a workers rights / health justice issue - Use workplace exposure data to support health
justice framing - Use home exposure public opinion data to
reinforce cultural strengths
37Culturally Competent OrganizingRecommended
Tactics
- Encourage partnership with mainstream coalitions
(dialogue struggle) - Hire culturally competent organizers
- Recruit long time, savvy activists and organizers
to mobilize existing groups - Recruit individuals with compelling impact
stories - Be willing to share power and resources
38Data Recommendations
- Analyze existing data sets to provide
racial/ethnic SHS exposure rates in specific
settings over time
39Data Recommendations with Policy Implications
- Enhance secondhand smoke exposure data collection
activities - Conduct national state surveys specifically on
workplace exposure - Over sample on all racial/ethnic groups and
subgroups - Investigate relevant cultural political issues
(e.g., language, acculturation, country of
origin, voting history, community involvement,
etc.) - Look to the California Tobacco Survey as a
potential prototype
40A Framework for Success
- Legislated vs. voluntary policies
- Community change vs. individual change
- Local vs. state policies
- Grassroots vs. grass tops approach
41Policy Advocacy Process
- Community-level education
- Grassroots organizing
- Leadership development
- Public debate / Media coverage
- Community mobilization
- Opposition push-back
- Legislative action
42A Proven Solution
- Educate, organize and empower individuals and
organizations affected by the problem - Develop, implement and be prepared to defend
effective policies to reduce, prevent or
eliminate the problem
43Organize grassroots Develop/demonstrate
authentic people power Overcome special
interests Achieve policy goals protect
victories
44Results in...
- Change in cultural norms, community standards and
environments - Significant public support for strong, effective
local policy
45Health Outcomes
- Reductions in rates of disease and death
- Nonsmokers protected from health risks associated
with secondhand smoke - De-normalization of tobacco use
- Adults quit smoking
- Youth dont start
- Stronger, healthier communities
- Skilled advocates
46Purpose of Organizing--Anthony Thigpen,
A.G.E.N.D.A. (Action for Grassroots Economic
Neighborhood Development Alternatives)
- To assist people in moving themselves
- from a point of perceived powerlessness and
ineffective/non-productive action - to a point of recognized/realized powerfulness
and effective constructive action
47Purpose of Organizing--Anthony Thigpen,
A.G.E.N.D.A. (Action for Grassroots Economic
Neighborhood Development Alternatives)
- The grassroots approach assumes that the affected
community knows - the issues / appropriate actions
- problems / salient solutions
- questions/ adequate answers
48And that.
- The community has the fundamental right and
inherent capability to define and describe what
it knows, and determine the direction needed to
deal with the issues at hand.
49Success Factors--Adapted from Anthony Thigpen,
A.G.E.N.D.A.
- Compelling issue
- Sufficient grassroots base of support (organized
and educated) - Strategic coalition building (representative
relevant) - Effective strategy and dynamic campaign
- Effective organizers
- Ability to effectively expose and counter
opposition tactics
50Conclusions
- Until recently, the strong support and natural
constituency of communities of color for clean
indoor air policies has gone untapped - To achieve long-term sustainable success, the
tobacco control movement must invest adequate
resourcestime, money, people, and
expertisedirectly into these communities to
organize, build capacity and infrastructure, and
advocate for policy change -
51Conclusions
- Timely, relevant data enhances advocates ability
to organize and mobilize communities on an issue,
and provides necessary support for strong,
effective policies - Addressing disparities is not only the right
thing to do, it is an important strategic means
to reach our common policy goals
52Our Job is to Move People
- If you want to move people, it has to be toward
a vision thats positive for them, that taps
important values, that gets them something that
they desire, and it has to be presented in a
compelling way that they feel inspired to
follow. - --Martin Luther King, Jr.
53- Sí se puede!
- --Cesar Chavez
- For more information, contact
- www.thepraxisproject.org
- eyanez_at_thepraxisproject.org