Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education

Wyoming’s strong belief of individualism and its pro-tobacco cowboy culture posed significant challenges to Wyoming’s tobacco control program in 2002. Despite the challenges, the tobacco control partners were able to continue to improve their program. They have benefited from the tobacco control network’s strong commitment and enthusiasm and a primary focus on implementing programs in communities across the state.

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

• The focus on supporting and expanding community programs by the DOH TPCP was considered a major strength.

• The commitment and enthusiasm of the tobacco control partners was also a major strength.

• A lack of support from the DOH Substance Abuse Division for tobacco control was a challenge.

• The individualistic Wyoming culture made tobacco control efforts difficult.

• Inadequate funding, a lack of support from policymakers, and the influence of the tobacco industry also made implementing a comprehensive program challenging.