What can community organizations do for tobacco control?

Community based organizations can play a vital role in widespread involvement on health promotion through a range of activities. Little research to date has focused on the process of government agencies accessing the readiness of these organizations for engaging in tobacco control activities. Because tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States and impacts on African American communities are particularly severe, opinions of leaders and key management personnel in a variety of CBO's in minority communities may be seen as an important starting point for receptivity to future tobacco control activity by the organization. The purpose of this analysis is a pilot examination of these issues among a small group of organizations in two minority neighborhoods in New York City. The paper develops a methodology utilizing a "rapid appraisal" technique of key informant interviews for assessing these organizations receptivity to partnerships with government on tobacco control. Attitudes and beliefs about smoking including views about tobacco policies, government role and interest in working with government on tobacco control are assessed.