Modification of a local smoking ordinance: a case-report of chiropractic health advocacy

Abstract

Background Health Promotion may involve assessing the community and assisting in the formation of coalitions that empower a community to reduce health risks. Objective To describe an intervention lead by a doctor of chiropractic to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in one rural southeast Alabama town. Discussion A coalition influenced the city council to modify an existing ordinance governing smoking in public places. As a secondary goal, the coalition hoped to use the local media to significantly increase public awareness of the dangers of ETS through positive press coverage of their efforts and general media advocacy. City councilmen and the local media were involved in the coalition to use a political process to change the ordinance. Ten months after initiating the project, the existing ordinance was modified. Conclusion Doctors of chiropractic involved as health advocates were able to change the local ordinance pertaining to indoor smoking.