Watch Me: COMMUNITY SCAN

You have read about how the tobacco industry has influenced lawmakers and others engaged in trying to change tobacco policy. Your assignment now is to find out what your community’s experience has been in this regard. Print this page and answer the questions below, then share it with coalition members. Click here to download a Microsoft Word version of the form. (note: this link will open a new window)

1. How many retail establishments in your community sell tobacco products (put the coalition membership to work here – it’s a big and important project).
2. How many retail establishments have self-serve tobacco displays?
3. In the last five years, how many times has your town/city council taken up the question of a smoking ban in restaurants? Have any of these efforts been successful?
4. Take an inventory of restaurants and bars in your area that have voluntarily initiated smoking bans. What percentage of the total does that figure represent?
5. In the last five years, how many times has your town/city council taken up the matter of a smoking ban in public sports and entertainment venues? Have any of these efforts been successful?
6. Take an inventory of public sports venues in your area – everything from Little League fields to rodeo grounds - that have voluntarily initiated smoking bans. What percentage of the total does that figure represent?
7. In the last five years, have any local arts or cultural events and venues in your area accepted donations from tobacco companies?
8. Take an inventory of the local arts or cultural events and venues in your area that have turned down tobacco company money.

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