Knock Tobacco Out of the Park

After years of long and difficult advocacy, The Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids and other public health groups succeeded in winning enactment of the first law giving the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products. The landmark law is a milestone achievement for public health. But its passage also meant the organization needed a new signature, national initiative to keep the issue of tobacco use in the public eye and maintain enthusiasm among its grassroots advocates.

The Knock Tobacco Out of the Park campaign was created to address the growing public health threat from increased adolescent use of smokeless tobacco; elevate public awareness of tobacco use as an ongoing national health problem and excite the organization’s grassroots network while attracting new audiences. With game-changing media tactics—including a New York Times op-ed that appeared on Major League Baseball’s opening day—and a coalition that grew to include top municipal public health officials in MLB cities, faith leaders, youth baseball leagues and others, the campaign in its first year resulted in organized baseball imposing the first restrictions on tobacco use in the 132-year history of the game.