The Michigan Profile: A review of Michigan's tobacco prevention and control program

Michigan’s tobacco control program has been greatly challenged by an unsupportive political climate, a state budget deficit, and inadequate program funding. Despite these barriers, the program has benefited from strong tobacco control experience and leadership, a supportive network of tobacco control partners, and recent local clean indoor air efforts. It is hoped that the new Governor and Legislature will provide more support for tobacco control, helping Michigan’s program to progress in its efforts. Program Strengths & Challenges Partners identified the following strengths and challenges of Michigan’s tobacco control program: • Partners described the Tobacco Section staff as very dedicated, knowledgeable, and committed to tobacco control and a major strength of Michigan’s program. • The statewide coalition, Tobacco Free Michigan Action Coalition, and its members were viewed as strengths. • A few partners identified local coalitions and their grassroots efforts as positive characteristics of Michigan’s tobacco control program. • The lack of tobacco control program funding was the most significant challenge for the program. • Michigan’s political climate was a challenge. In particular, many partners felt the lack of support by the previous Engler Administration impeded the program tremendously.