Letters of Support Program

The Tobacco Control Network (TCN) has developed a program that allows for letters of support to be sent to key decision-makers regarding various policy issues that occur on the local, state, or national level. The Letter of Support Program is approved by CDC/OSH and fits well within TCN’s Mission and Goals, including:

• Providing education and expertise for tobacco prevention and control at the state and national levels.
• Raising the priority and primacy of tobacco use prevention and control at the state and national level.
• Fostering collaboration between state tobacco control programs and national partners.

On request, the TCN will provide letters of support and conveyance of information about various issues and policy. An example of a letter of support that the TCN has completed is that of a local smoke-free air regulation that was addressed to local board of health members. The letter included information and research that could be considered by those charged with approving the regulation.

Other examples of policy or advocacy issues that the TCN could address with a letter of support could include:

• Best Practices, CDC-recommended funding levels for tobacco prevention.
• Increases for tobacco taxes, especially inclusive of dedication of funds to prevention.

The TCN feels that writing letters of support and consideration is very much a part of its mission. These letters represent a level of collaboration among various partners and can have a clear impact on key decision-makers. For more information about taking advantage of this resource, email the TCN at tcn@astho.org.

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