SmokeFree Lowcountry
After two failed attempts to take Charleston smokefree, numerous local health advocates commissioned Touchpoint Communications to help lead a third effort.
Our strategy was to focus on workplace safety, and the rights of all employees to breath clean air – no matter where they worked. We focused our efforts on voting “moms”, local business people most affected by smokefree laws, and African American voters, who have been shown to be disproportionately affected by secondhand smoke.
Armed with a six month plan, and a meaningful grant from the Centers for Disease Control, Touchpoint worked on numerous levels to help sway City Council members to approve smokefree ordinances. We worked at earned media, advertising and community outreach, even as client groups were undertaking aggressive grassroots efforts.
And we won! Charleston City Council approved a far reaching indoor smoking law that protects the rights of all workers. Here are examples of how we used research, local business “heroes” and outreach tools to drive the campaign: