Disparities

Research

Unhealthy partnerships: The tobacco industry and African American and Latino labor organizations
Based on a review of tobacco industry documents and other background literature, researchers describe the relationships the tobacco industry began to cultivate with minority labor coalitions in the 1980s. The tobacco companies recruited these organizations by attempting to align their interests with the coalitions’ agendas. Once the relationships had been formed, the coalitions took positions on tobacco-related issues like smokefree worksites, enabling the tobacco industry to build credibility and influence with coalition members, legislators, and the public. Tobacco control advocates who aim to include labor organizations and people of color in anti-tobacco coalitions can learn from the coalition-building techniques used by the tobacco industry. Click here to read the abstract of the article, which appeared in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health.

"Everywhere the soldier will be": Wartime tobacco promotion in the US military
A review of internal tobacco industry documents from the Gulf War era (1990-1991) reveals the efforts of the tobacco industry to connect with young Americans engaged in the military. During this conflict, tobacco companies targeted troops with free cigarettes, direct advertising, branded items, ways to communicate with family, and "welcome home" events. The researchers note that policy changes are needed in order to reduce the high rate of tobacco use in the military, and to reframe tobacco use as “unmilitary.” Click here to read the abstract of the research, which was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine August Supplement: Tobacco Policy and Its Unintended Consequences among Low-Income Women
The August 2009 supplement of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine presents research on the effects of tobacco control policies on low-income women. A literature review by Greaves & Hemsing found that compared to other women, low-income women are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke, may have limited capacity to manage their exposure to secondhand smoke, and may experience heightened stigmatization as a result of secondhand smoke policies. Click here to read the abstract of this study. In another study, researchers Moore, Annechino, & Lee conducted a thematic analysis of three mixed-method studies to describe the unintended effects of indoor smoking bans on tobacco use in and around bars in California. Unanticipated consequences of the smokefree policies primarily occurred when bars did comply with the law and smokers went outside the bar to smoke, particularly when smokers stood on the street outside the bar. Click here to read the abstract of the study by Moore, Annechino, & Lee. Click here to view a full listing of the articles in the supplement.

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Reports

DOD, VA, Congress should take stronger steps towards eliminating tobacco use in military populations, VA Medical Centers
The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs requested a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to identify policies and practices that could lower rates of smoking and help soldiers and veterans quit. The report from the IOM states that tobacco use impairs military readiness and harms the health of soldiers and veterans. The report recommends that the agencies implement a comprehensive strategy to make the military tobacco free by gradually phasing in bans on tobacco use. If the plan to phase out tobacco use begins within a year, all military installations and active-duty personnel could become tobacco-free within 20 years. Click here to read more on the recommendations. In accord with the recommendations from the report, the Pentagon has announced that it will not immediately ban the use of tobacco in the military. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is reviewing the report in order to identify steps toward the goal of a smoke-free military. Click here to read reactions from the military and comments from members of the IOM committee that issued the report.

A movement, not a market: A tobacco and alcohol prevention resource for the LGBTQI community
A Movement, Not A Market is a multimedia educational resource on media literacy, the portrayal of the LGBTQI community in media, and the targeting of the LGBTQI community with tobacco and alcohol products. This DVD-ROM can help viewers improve their ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and produce media messages. This resource contains 52 media examples (from TV shows, films, magazines, and counter-marketing campaigns), a printable discussion guide, and handouts. Click here to learn more, or to order this free resource from the New Mexico Media Literacy Project.

Updated website: The National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention
The National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention (NLCATP) has updated its website to create an interactive forum where dedicated community leaders can discuss current topics, share resources and organize for change in the alcohol and tobacco arena. NLCATP aims to unite advocates around the country through this forum. Website users who register as members will be listed on the site's national directory, and can comment on recent blog postings and post forum discussions. Click here to visit the site.

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