Advocacy!

Becoming a first class tobacco control advocate

Why advocacy?

• Politicians create laws and decide taxation levels

• To get what we want we must approach the politicians

• The tobacco industry does it…if we don’t, we’re bound to fail

What is advocacy?

Encouraging the government to pass laws and policies that will benefit the public

How can we do advocacy?

• Indirectly—through the media, demonstrations

• Directly—by writing letters to, and meeting with, politicians

• By involving other individuals and groups in the above activities

Some tips for direct and indirect advocacy

• Be prepared—know your subject• Be specific—say what you want,

don’t stray from the main points• Make clear both the problem and

the solutions (briefly)• Enlist your friends to help and

practice/comment

Activity: lobby your government for smoke-free restaurants

The situation…

• High-level government meeting• Representatives from Ministry of

Industry, Tobacco Unlimited, and the League of Hotels and Restaurants

• YOU are representing those wanting smoke-free places

Group work

• Prepare your main speaking points• Think what the opposition will say

and how to respond

Wrap-up: the arguments

• Do smokers have the right to pollute our air?

• Is it possible to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers? If not, who should have the rights?

• Would going smoke-free kill businesses?

Wrap-up: what we learned

• Importance of preparation: knowing what we want, and what our opponents are likely to say

• Importance of practice• Importance of keeping our cool!