ANSWER EACH DISCUSSION QUESTION IN ITS ENTIRETY. 1-5

Chapter13UsingAdvocacytoAffectPolicy.ppt

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Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Health Promotion Strategies & Tactics

National University

* Bensley, R.J., & Brookins-Fisher, J. (2009). Community health education methods. Third edition. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.

“When you speak directly to your elected officials or testify at a public hearing, sharing your personal experiences can have a tremendous impact. If you do not speak out about what makes good public health policy, legislators will either assume either that no one cares about the program, so funding can be cut, or that no changes are needed”. (Bensley & Brookins-Fisher, 2009, p. 333)

Chapter 13 Learning Objectives

1. Explain and describe steps for advocating legislation.

2. Summarize and evaluate tips and techniques for successful legislative advocacy.

3. Identify successful strategies for overcoming challenges in advocating for legislation.

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Legislative advocacy

The contact made with a policymaker or legislator

To discuss a social or economic problem

On behalf of a particular group/population

As long as no specific bill number is mentioned

Direct Lobbying

Communication about a specific legislation with a legislator

Communication about a specific position on legislation
Can ask a legislator to support or veto a specific bill

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Grassroots Lobbying

A group/organization appeals to the general public

Asks them to take action or influence specific legislation

A letter to parents of children at Capri Elementary asking them to call or write their congressperson to support a bill or increase funding for a new school program

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Advocacy for different policy types dictates what audience level this method reaches (or is appropriate for)

Voluntary policy
Typically implemented without government direction
E.g. encouraging restaurants to go smoke-free
Would be considered an organizational/institutional level method

Local Ordinance/regulations
Enacted by a town, city or county government
Such as city/county ban on flavored tobacco products
San Diego County recently approved Ordinance # 10647: Ban of flavored tobacco products: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/MCFHS/TCRP/FAQ%20Tobacco%20Ordinance_Device%20and%20Flavor%20Ban_.pdf
This would be considered a community level method

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Advocacy for different policy types dictates what audience level this method reaches (or is appropriate for)

State laws/policy
Enacted by a vote of legislators and then by the governor
California passes SB-7 (2016) to raise minimum legal age to 21
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/05/05/476872674/california-raises-age-of-tobacco-purchase-to-21-and-tightens-vaping-rules
Depending on the size of the state either community or societal level method

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Advocacy for different policy types dictates what audience level this method reaches (or is appropriate for)

Federal law/policy
Senators and representatives at the federal level pass bills that are then signed into law by the president
Steps toward Tobacco 21
In December 2019 FDA amended the law to increase legal tobacco age from 18 to 21
https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/retail-sales-tobacco-products/tobacco-21\
Considered a societal level method

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Identify issue and develop a fact sheet

Understand what steps are needed to enact legislation

Identify potential partners and form or join coalitions to increase success

Motivate grassroots support

Identify and work with policymakers

Use the Internet for advocacy

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Identify the Issue
See page 337: table 13-1

Define the problem

Who is affected? Are many affected? Are some at greater risk than others?

Research demographics, needs assessments and epidemiologic data

What is cost if problem not addressed?

What policy or law could help resolve the issue?

Steps for Advocating Legislation
Understand how policy becomes legislation

Steps for Passing a County Regulation
Table 13-2 p.338

Advocacy group raises issue

Health officer/community leader introduces idea to Board of Health

Regulation language (how bill will be written) is researched (research laws about similar issues)

Language drafted

Regulation language and data presented

Understand how policy becomes legislation

Meetings/hearings held to discussed proposed regulation

If passed by Board of Health, regulation is presented to Board of Commissioners

Task Force may be appointed

Public hearing dates set and notifications sent and hearings take place

Commissioners vote

If passed, the local health department has authority to adopt

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Identify potential partners
Motivate Grassroots Support

Forming a group to advocate for or against an issue can be more effective than an individual

American Cancer Society

American Lung Association

American Heart Association

See table 13-4, p. 343

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Identify and Work with Policymakers

Policymakers

Elected officials whom enact policy, laws, ordinances
Table 13-5 p.344
Local
State

Federal

Using Internet for Advocacy

ALAC Advocacy
Tell congress you support tobacco sale age to be 21

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Identify and Work with Policymakers

Steps for Advocating Legislation

Tips and Techniques for Successful

Legislative Advocacy

Develop legislative alerts– notices to a group’s members about upcoming votes, needed action
Figure 13-1 p.349

Initiate campaigns – letter writing or phone calls

Meet with legislators

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Tips and Techniques for Successful

Legislative Advocacy

Testify at hearings and/or utilize media

San Francisco County Board of Supervisors Meeting June 2017: Banning Flavored Tobacco Products –

Begin to get background and then advocacy examples of providing testimony begin about 20 minutes

Establish a relationship to influence policymakers
Phone calls, letters, coffee hours at local establishments, attend hearings

Use media advocacy to support a legislative advocacy campaign
Table 13-10 p.354

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Overcoming Challenges

Prepare for the opposition

Motivate community support

Prevent volunteer burnout

Deal with internal politics

Keep bills moving

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

Expected Outcome

Increase legislative advocacy skills

Grass Roots Examples
SF Tobacco Free Project

Sample Legislative Session (E-Cigarettes)
20:18 – 59:10

Using Advocacy to Impact Policy

ALAC E-Cigarette Legislative Advocacy
SD City Council: 7-28-14