Evaluation: methods and strategy for evaluation--Massachusetts.

Various challenges exist when evaluating statewide, community-based public health initiatives and these need to be addressed by tobacco control programs. There are factors inherent in public health initiatives that can make it difficult to assess causality and effectiveness. These include initial design elements, funding mandates, duration of program and resources allocated for evaluation. In addition, outside efforts to undermine the initiative also must be taken into consideration, when evaluating effectiveness. This article focuses on these and other challenges encountered by the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program and presents information on the state specific tobacco surveys conducted for the Program.