The best practices: use of the guidelines by ten state tobacco control programs

The Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention was the first national resource to define the nine required components of a comprehensive state tobacco control program. This evaluation examined how states used the guidelines in their program planning, and identifies strengths and weaknesses of the guidelines.

During 2002-2003, data were collected and analyzed from ten state tobacco control programs on familiarity, funding, and use of the guidelines. Data were collected via written surveys and qualitative interviews with key tobacco control partners in the states. The typical number of participants interviewed was 17, representing an average of 15 agencies per state.

Lead agencies and advisory agencies were the most familiar with the guidelines, while other state agencies were less aware of the guidelines. Participants' prioritization of the nine components was closely related to the lead agencies' estimated category expenditures. Three states modified the guidelines to develop more-tailored frameworks. Major strengths of the guidelines included providing a basic program framework and state-specific funding recommendations. The guidelines did not address implementation strategies or tobacco-related disparities, and had not been updated with current evidence-based research.

The guidelines are important recommendations for state tobacco control programs. To continue to be useful to states, the guidelines need to be updated to address implementation and tobacco disparities, and include additional evidence-based examples. Active dissemination of updated guidelines needs to be increased beyond typical consumers to other tobacco control partners such as coalitions and other state agencies.