Findings You Can Use

Ahrens, D., Uebelher, P., & Remington, P. L. (2005). Evaluation of community and organizational characteristics of smoke-free ordinance campaigns in 15 Wisconsin cities. Preventing Chronic Disease, 2(3).

[Link to full article - (293 KB)]

Abstract: Smoke-free restaurant ordinance campaigns were conducted in 15 Wisconsin cities during 1992 through 2002. Community and health coalition organizational characteristics varied with each campaign; nine campaigns were successful in enacting ordinances, and six campaigns failed. Methods: Data on community and coalition characteristics were analyzed. Community characteristics included adjusted gross income, percentage of Democratic voters in recent elections, and county smoking prevalence. Coalition characteristics included the number of supporters identified, leadership experience, level of print news media coverage, and editorial position of local newspaper. Results: Successful campaigns were more likely to have leadership with high levels of political experience; eight of nine successful campaigns had leadership with high levels of experience, and two of six unsuccessful campaigns had leadership with high levels of experience. Every successful campaign had high levels of newspaper coverage and strong editorial support. None of the unsuccessful campaigns had high levels of news coverage or strong editorial support. Conclusion: Characteristics controlled or influenced by coalitions are associated with successful outcomes. Community characteristics were not associated with outcomes. These results should assist communities planning to implement smoke-free ordinances or other health policy campaigns.

Major Findings

• Cities with successful ordinance campaigns had slightly higher income ($37,782 vs. $36,437); a greater percentage of Democratic voters (56% vs. 49%); slightly higher smoking rates (25.7% vs. 23.3%), and more identified supporters (13% vs. 9%), although none of these differences were statistically significant.
• The characteristics of ordinance campaigns that had statistical significance were coalition leadership experience, newspaper coverage and newspaper editorial support.
• Eight of the nine successful campaigns had leadership with extensive experience in policy change at the municipal level, extensive experience in political organization (e.g., campaign management), or extensive civic involvement that included working with a local city council.
• All successful campaigns had coverage on the front page of the local newspaper throughout the campaign, with stories focusing on health and economic concerns.
• All successful campaigns had editorial support by the local newspaper.