Introduction to the study

What is this study about?

We are conducting a survey of community leaders to understand their beliefs and attitudes and opinions about policy options to prevent youth's exposure to tobacco and vaping products and secondhand smoke. We also want to assess what key Florida community opinion leaders have heard about Tobacco Free Florida's efforts to promote policy, environment, and systems change to prevent tobacco use.

Who sponsors it?

This study is part of RTI International's independent comprehensive evaluation of the Florida Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida.

What is the Bureau going to do with this information?

This survey is one component of an evaluation of Tobacco Free Florida. They will use this information to help better educate Floridians about tobacco-related policies.

How long will this study last?

The study will last from June through August. During this time, we will contact community leaders with an introductory letter inviting them to participate. Then, we will follow up with phone calls and emails to them to see if they wish to participate.

Why is Florida spending money for this survey?

This survey is one component of an independent comprehensive evaluation of the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida. The evaluation helps ensure that the Bureau is effective in its work to reduce tobacco use. The findings will be presented to Bureau leadership and the Tobacco Education and Use Prevention Advisory Council.

Will I be able to see a copy of the report?

The final report will be a public document that is available to any citizen who requests it.

Who is conducting this survey?

Who is conducting this survey?

RTI International was hired by Tobacco Free Florida to evaluate its programming. RTI International is an independent nonprofit research organization based in North Carolina. You can learn more about the work that RTI does by visiting www.rti.org.

Why is Florida using a firm in North Carolina to do this, instead of using a company here to keep the business local?

RTI International was selected as the independent evaluator through a competitive process. This assessment is part of its comprehensive evaluation of Florida's Tobacco Free Florida Program.

Are you working for the Republicans or the Democrats? OR Are you communists?

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research organization. We provide research, development, and technical services to government and commercial clients worldwide. We have experience working with other state health departments across the country to evaluate their tobacco control programs (e.g., New York, Vermont, Indiana, Louisiana, etc.).

Participation and confidentiality

How did you select the participants? (And how did you get my phone number?)

RTI selected community leaders who have a significant role in public discourse about policy options to prevent tobacco use among youth. These leaders include school superintendents, school board members, chambers of commerce, county officials, and city officials. To get the leaders' name and contact information, we researched the city and county websites as well as directories of government officials.

Do I have to do this?

No, your participation is completely voluntary. However, as a community leader your opinions of this topic area are very important. We hope that you will take a few minutes to share your opinions with us.

Why should I participate?

The survey will help the Florida Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida understand what local leaders feel about several public health issues, particularly tobacco issues and policies. Your opinion is important and will be included as part of an average score combined with other respondents from your county.

Why don't I get an incentive?

Not having incentives for the survey allows Florida to save money by making this survey as cost- efficient as possible.

I've just been elected/appointed to this position and have only been to a few of the meetings. Will I be able to help you since I'm new?

Yes, it is an opinion survey. Even if you haven't been in your leadership role for very long, your opinions about this topic area are still important. Even though the negative health effects of tobacco are well-known, people in Florida - and in your community - still use tobacco. Youth in your community continue to smoke and use new tobacco products, like e-cigarettes.

I'm a [insert your position here], so why are you asking my opinion about policy questions?

We're speaking with community leaders across the state -- non-elected and elected officials. The Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida wanted to also interview school superintendents and school board members because you work with and have influence on youth and preventing youth from using tobacco is one of its most important goals.

Who else in my city/county have you already talked to? Have any other [insert your position here] from my area participated?

We maintain the confidentiality of all participants. Therefore, we cannot state who responded to our invitation or participated. I can say that we invited a sampling of community leaders in every county: school superintendents, school board members, chambers of commerce, county officials, and city officials.

Will my answers be confidential?

Your responses are confidential; no personal information is linked to the survey. The survey only records an ID number for each response. For each question, we will report the averaged response of all leaders from your county.

Survey Content

Should we have heard about these policies?

You may have heard about the risk of tobacco use among youth and policy options to prevent tobacco use among youth from the Bureau's grantees or their community partners. Also, you may have seen print advertisements, or heard about community events or athletic organizations that no longer allow tobacco use.

What do you mean by children? Under 12? Small children? Teens?

Tobacco Free Florida defines children as any youth aged 18 years and younger. Young adults are ages 19 to 25 years. The program's primary goal is to keep youth from starting to use tobacco products.

What types of schools do you mean (public, private, charter)?

We are referring only to public schools. Private schools are not governed by the superintendent and charter schools are public schools that operate under a performance contract, or a 'charter' which frees them from many regulations created for traditional public schools while holding them accountable for academic and financial results.

What do you mean by 'vaping products'?

Vaping products refer to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). These are also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vape pens, e-hookahs, hookah pens, or mods. Some common brands are JUUL, Puff Bar, Suorin, Blu, and Vuse.