Pushing the boundaries of tobacco control: the role of foundations

Issue addressed: Health promotion foundations, by their very nature, can play a key role in tobacco control. Foundations were established to buy out tobacco sponsorship and to generally promote health. They can also progress policy and act as a catalyst for community action on tobacco control. Methods: This paper outlines three examples of how the Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway) has successfully stimulated the introduction of policy change at Western Australian universities, negotiated structural reform at sponsored sport, arts and racing events and instigated a community- wide collaborative approach to smoking prevention especially targeting youth. Results: As highlighted in the paper, all Western Australian universities have signed agreements which state they will not accept money from the tobacco industry. All major sport, arts and racing venues have now implemented comprehensive smoke-free policies and the major health agencies in Western Australia have endorsed and embraced a collaborative approach to smoking control messages and initiatives. Conclusion: Healthway has successfully initiated a number of key strategies in the tobacco control arena. Through introducing pertinent policy measures, facilitating collaboration between groups and effectively utilising its bargaining position, Healthway has played a vital role in the active discouragement of tobacco smoking in Western Australia. So what? The paper identifies ways in which health promotion foundations can adopt an integrated approach to health promotion and, by pushing the boundaries, activate innovative approaches toward tobacco control. These strategies are not exclusive to foundations, and lessons learnt and experience gained may provide direction for other health organisations. ( author abstract)