Tobacco Policy Research Group
The Tobacco Policy Research Group headed by Jean Forster conducts research projects involving policies to reduce tobacco use by young people.
The research serves to monitor use, assess trends and the need for future intervention, promote local policy enforcing age of sale laws and limiting exposure to second-hand smoke in public places. It includes a participatory action research project with the Native American population in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort Study (MACC)
The MACC study is designed to measure the effects of tobacco prevention and control programs aimed at youth in the state of Minnesota and to gain a better understanding of the process by which young people go from non-smokers to smokers as they get older. Over 4,000 youth are participating in this study of tobacco use and attitudes among teens and young adults in the Midwest.
CIAC: Clean Indoor Air Consequences
The CIAC study is evaluating potential consequences of clean indoor air ordinances. By looking at data from 10 Minnesota communities with varying levels of indoor smoking regulation, the study is examining impacts on revenue and employment in bars and restaurants, numbers and types of alcohol-serving businesses, and crime near these establishments. More on CIAC
American Indian Community Tobacco Project (AICTP)
This unique partnership involves staff at the University of Minnesota, the American Indian Policy Center and members of the Twin Cities American Indian community working together to collect and synthesize community knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about tobacco misuse and traditional tobacco use in the urban Indian community; determine community readiness to address tobacco misuse; and identify community strengths that can be applied to reducing tobacco misuse.
Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation (TFYR)
The objectives of TFYR are to learn successful strategies for adopting tobacco-free policies for park and recreational areas and to gain a better understanding of the steps taken in 62 Minnesota communities that led to the adoption of tobacco-free park policies. University of Minnesota staff along with staff from Association of Non-Smokers Rights Minnesota and the Minnesota Park and Recreation Association have engaged local communities in developing policies promoting tobacco free parks and recreational facilities across the state of Minnesota. More on TFYR