Florida tobacco prevention and control program: building capacity through collaboration.

Florida has an aggressive program of tobacco prevention and control. The Tobacco-Free Florida Coalition has been a leading force; however, numerous other partners have also participated in this effort. The development of various programs, strategies and activities has occurred because several key agencies in the state were willing to collaborate on agreed upon goals and reduce the traditional barriers of turf and territory in working with each other. As a result a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control effort has been established in Florida, and several large federal and private grants have been secured to support this initiative. This effort was accomplished in about four years in the absence of a dedicated tobacco tax increase which has benefitted at least two states in the country, California and Massachusetts. The infrastructure is now in place for a great deal of future success with this initiative. Continual assessment will be needed to ensure that the objectives of this program are achieved as the Tobacco-Free Florida Coalition moves ahead with its action plans over the next few years.