The National Behavioral Health Network (NBHN) for Tobacco and Cancer Control, in January 2019, launched its 7th Community of Practice, the 2019 State Tobacco Control Community of Practice (CoP) in partnership and with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support (CSTLTS) and Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), and the University of California San Francisco’s Smoking Cessation Leadership Center. 
This 6-month practice change initiative with 9 states focuses on the enhancement of states’ tobacco control efforts to address the needs of individuals with behavioral health conditions. The states selected for CoP participation include Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, and North Dakota.
Through participation in the CoP, teams made up of representatives from each state’s tobacco control, public health and behavioral health departments, are provided with tailored training and technical assistance (TTA) via an in-person meeting, webinars, affinity calls, and personalized coaching calls with national experts.
The 2019 State Tobacco Control CoP launched on January 15th with a national webinar and initial TTA offering, followed by an in-person kick-off & action planning meeting in Washington, DC on February 7th, 2019. Participants traveled to the Nation’s capital from all 9 states to increase their knowledge around tobacco-related health disparities faced by individuals with behavioral health conditions, as well as network with one another around strategies to enhance tobacco control efforts within public health departments and in partnership with community behavioral health organizations.
“… Thank you for inspiring us to “stretch” while not forgetting the simple tasks and strategies needed for success… [The meeting] inspired all of us.” – 2019 CoP participant
Want to learn how your organization, state, tribe or territory can enhance tobacco control and prevention efforts among individuals with behavioral health conditions? Join the National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco & Cancer Control and gain free access to our next Community of Practice, tobacco control and prevention toolkits, workforce development, and training and other information you need to eliminate tobacco use disparities for the clients you serve.
