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Keeping the Focus on Public Health: The Struggles of a Tobacco Prevention Task Force

Health and Human Services Commission, Austin, Texas

Beverly A. Hall, PhD, FAAN

School of Nursing, the University of Texas at Austin

Gail G. Sneden, MA

Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, the University of Texas at Austin

Nell H. Gottlieb, PhD

Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin.ngottlieb{at}mail.utexas.edu

This case study examines a nonlegislative task force as it struggled to reach internal consensus despite external-political constraints. The study highlights the convergence of politics and science, revealing complex issues likely to be confronted by advocates and public health officials. Three themes capture participants’experiences: context, sizing up the opportunities and constraints; task force process, tacit strategy to operate outside the political context and play the science card; and aftermath, a glass half full. The task force took advantage of ambiguous parameters, crafting a comprehensive statewide plan to reduce tobacco use and breaking out of the common public health paradigm of allowing budget considerations to drive program design. These internal victories could not sustain a policy success in the legislature. However, the group’s product sets science-based standards for future program development, and the task force’s process provides valuable insights into other states developing tobacco prevention and control policies.

Key Words: tobacco policy • tobacco prevention • public health policy • tobacco settlement

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