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Background
ACT was launched in the fall of 2001 to respond to the community mobilization component of the provincial tobacco control strategy. It was developed to support interested community members to take effective action against tobacco in their own communities.
ACT recognizes that reducing tobacco use requires a shift in community attitudes and norms about smoking, and that this type of significant change can only take place when local community people are committed to investing themselves in the effort.
ACT is comprised of a tool kit of practical evidence-based activity ideas and a network of tobacco control champions who link community efforts to best practice. Based on the feedback of ACT users, the ACT initiative has undergone a continuous evolution since its launch. The theories grounding the initiative have been modified, Steering Committee members have changed and most significantly the role of the community champion has been revised.
The ACT network is comprised of health promotion professionals working to address tobacco control within their respective communities. These individuals have been oriented to the ACT tools and supports and act as knowledge brokers within their communities by linking individuals to the best practices identified in the ACT tools.
The ACT Steering Committee made a commitment to evaluation very early on in the development of ACT. This commitment has enabled continuous learning, adaptation and evolution of this capacity building effort.
With renewal of the provincial tobacco control strategy for Nova Scotia, the ACT Steering Committee will work with its network to keep pace with emerging issues and ensure that ACT continues to provide the dedicated tobacco control community of our province with a truly relevant and powerful tool to support their efforts.
Over the past few years, ACT has taken on the responsibility of rolling out the provincial Tobacco-Free Sport and Recreation initiative – a CDC best practice included originally in the ACT tool kit as “Tobacco-Free Soccer”. Other exciting projects are underway:
- The implementation of a youth engagement resource and leaders guide around the issue of tobacco industry manipulation entitled You're the Target ! and Exposing the Truth about Tobacco. These tools are now available to the tobacco control community through members of the ACT network and through this site.
- The development of tools to assist the First Nations community to adapt and utilize the ACT tool kit activities in ways that will respect their culture and values. A document titled Using the ACT Toolkit in Nova Scotia's First Nations Communities has been produced.
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ACT is supported by the Canadian Cancer Society – Nova Scotia Division and Cancer Care Nova Scotia as co-lead agencies and by the following partners: Addiction Services DHA 1, 2 and 3 Capital Health, Health Promotion Clearinghouse, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection and Smoke-Free Kings. |
