Tobacco Policy Change is a national initiative of RWJF created to ensure continued momentum on effective tobacco control policies and to extend that momentum to communities where people are most vulnerable to tobacco's devastating impact. Launched in 2004, the $12 million program reflects RWJF's long standing commitments to reduce tobacco use and help Americans live healthier lives.

Creative Solutions and Successful Outcomes
Through Tobacco Policy Change, RWJF is investing in cutting edge collaborations that directly address disparities in tobacco use and exposure. Using advocacy, communications and community partnerships, Tobacco Policy Change programs support efforts to; promote clean indoor air in workplaces and other public places; reduce smoking rates among minority populations; gain access to smoking cessation services for low wage earners; and promote the benefits of tobacco tax increases in preventing smoking among young people.

Tobacco Policy Change uses RWJF funds to support public education, advocacy and organization building efforts. With matching dollars from other funders, Tobacco Policy Change organizations leverage additional resources to achieve policy changes in their community.

Tobacco Policy Change alliances have already achieved results. For example, working in the heart of tobacco country, Kentucky ACTION and the North Carolina Alliance for Health each led efforts to boost their respective state's cigarette excise tax. Advocates in Navajo Nation are building public support for a proposal to restrict the sale and use of commercial tobacco across the largest reservation in the country. And Houston Communities for Safe Indoor Air was an instrumental partner in mobilizing the city's minority communities to support the successful effort to improve Houston's weak workplace smoking protections.

Tobacco Policy Change Projects
Tobacco Policy Change programs seek to make communities, regions and states hardest hit by tobacco-related health threats healthier places to live, work and raise families. Initiatives have included battling tobacco industry efforts to promote candy flavored cigarettes among New York City's minority youth, curbing the alarmingly high smoking rates in Nevada's Latino population, pushing for smoke free laws in communities across Illinois, and an effort to boost Vermont's tobacco tax to fund expanded health care access for the state's low income residents.

Over 50 grants have been awarded through the Tobacco Policy Change initiative. Each of those grants has helped ensure that people who may be harmed most by tobacco use and exposure have strong local and state partnerships fighting for their good health.

** Special Solicitation - Applications due September 14, 2007 **

The Special Solicitation builds on previous success in attracting new and diverse partners whose constituencies are most directly affected by tobacco use and exposure. Grantees will be expected to apply their advocacy skills and experience to advance tobacco policy and other public health policies in their communities.

Organizations that propose a project in Indian Country or the following states are eligible to apply:  Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., Ind., Ky., La., Mich., Miss., Mo., N.C., Ohio, Okla., S.C., Tenn., Texas, W. Va. and Va.