Examination of the Relationship between Community Support and Tobacco Control Activities as a Part of Youth Empowerment Programs

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Abstract
Through the American Legacy Foundation’s Statewide Youth Movement Against Tobacco Use (SYMATU), programs aimed at empowering youths to take action against tobacco use were funded. It is believed that the activities these groups undertake result in changes at the community level. This article examines the relationships between community support of tobacco control and the number and types of tobacco control-related activities these local youth groups conduct. Regression analyses examine the influence that different levels and sources of community support have on the quantity and focus of a group’s activities. The influences of community support are briefly explored to understand if certain group characteristics have an impact on the quantity or sources of support for tobacco control. A deeper understanding of the importance and impact of community support will help groups understand the need for building community support networks and how these networks can assist them with implementation of program activities.