Advocates' Corner

While it is vital to inform the community about the dangers of secondhand smoke and the benefits of all-inclusive smoke-free policies using word of mouth and grassroots education efforts, it is also important to communicate the concerns and hard work of citizen groups to reach the larger public. Advocacy demonstrates to community leaders that community members demand action on issues they care about.

Letters to the Editor and the Media. You can inform your community and influence your elected officials indirectly by writing letters to the editors of news publications. Elected officials read letters to the editor to determine what their constituents think. Share your personal frustration with policies and establishments that permit smoking as well as your excitement for the coming statewide smoke-free law. When a story about smoke-free issues or policies appears in the media, write in to support or appropriately criticize the story.

View sample Letter to the Editor document

Contact your elected officials. Call, email, or meet with your elected officials about your concerns with secondhand smoke, and if they have been a smoke-free supporter, thank them for their efforts to enact smoke-free policies.

These contacts can have a huge impact. Most importantly, they serve to make the legislator aware that there is an organized constituency in his or her district that cares about smoke-free issues and is willing and ready to actively advocate for them. Meetings also offer an opportunity to begin to build a longer-term relationship with politicians and to demonstrate that they is and will continue to be a regular presence in the district advocating for smoke-free communities.

Email info@smokefreedakota.org for more information about and assistance with meeting with your elected officials.