Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education

Dedicated tobacco control partners and a comprehensive program contributed to Hawaii’s tobacco control program experiencing several successes, including the adoption of clean indoor air ordinances in all of the counties and a high cigarette excise tax. State budget shortfalls and prioritization of other issues in the Legislature have been a challenge for the program, but with the leadership of the State Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (DOH TPEP) and a coordinated effort among partners, Hawaii’s program will continue to grow and thrive. help finance construction of the new medical school was hurtful to the program.

Partners identified the following strengths and challenges of Hawaii’s tobacco control program:

• The dedication of the professionals working in tobacco control was viewed as a major strength of the program. Some partners also specifically mentioned the DOH TPEP staff as being highly committed.

• The ability to sustain the tobacco control program funding was viewed as a challenge due to the state’s difficult economic situation.

• Partners also felt that there was a need for more coordination and infrastructure. Some felt that there was no designated coordinating agency to oversee the entire program.