An Examination of Two Policy Networks Involved in Advancing Smokefree Policy Initiatives

Sarah Moreland-Russell,Bobbi Carothers

doi:10.3390/ijerph120911117

Abstract

This study examines smokefree policy networks in two cities—Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri—one that was successful in achieving widespread policy success, and one that was not. Descriptive social network analyses and visual network mapping were used to compare importance and contact relationships among actors involved in the smokefree policy initiatives. In Kansas City, where policy adoption was achieved, there was a higher level of connectivity among members, with network members being in contact with an average of more than five people, compared to just over two people for the St. Louis network. For both cities, despite being recognized as important, politicians were in contact with the fewest number of people. Results highlight the critical need to actively engage a variety of stakeholders when attempting city wide public health policy change. As evident by the success in smokefree policy adoption throughout Kansas City compared to St. Louis, closer linkages and continued communication among stakeholders including the media, coalitions, public health agencies, policymakers, and other partners are essential if we are to advance and broaden the impact of public health policy. Results indicate that the presence of champions, or those that play leadership roles in actively promoting policy by linking individuals and organizations, play an important role in advancing public health policy. Those working in public health should examine their level of engagement with the policy process and implement strategies for improving that engagement through relationship building and ongoing interactions with a variety of stakeholders, including policymakers.

Highlights

Over the past three decades, substantial progress has been made to control secondhand smoke exposure thanks to the steady increase in the adoption of comprehensive smokefree policies in localities across the U.S [1]
While some smokefree policy battles were fought within state or local level legislatures, others were contended via ballot initiatives and decided by public vote [3]
Some smokefree policy initiatives arose from funded campaigns with national attention and strong opposition, others were quietly adopted with little deliberation, while other attempts suffered defeat

Summary

Introduction

Over the past three decades, substantial progress has been made to control secondhand smoke exposure thanks to the steady increase in the adoption of comprehensive smokefree policies in localities across the U.S [1]. Such policy development resulted from a collision of strong scientific evidence regarding the harms of smoking with the efforts of public health officials and grassroots advocates who stepped up as champions, set the policy agenda to “build the case for ‘nonsmokers’ rights”, and advanced the policy processes in localities and states across the nation [1]. There are few other examples of great and lasting policy events like smokefree policy that offer an opportunity to study the complexity or possibility of the policy process in public health policy making

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion