Every community's campaign will be different. The range of conditions we face varies so dramatically that no single organizing model will apply in every situation. Most successful campaigns, however, go through similar stages on the way to victory. The stages outlined in this manual are proven and should be followed as closely as possible in each community's own unique fashion.

Stage 1 - DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM In documenting the problem, there are really two things to investigate: the public health problem and the political environment. Overview | Youth Tobacco Use | Illegal Sales | Store Marketing | Enforcement | Merchant Education | Political Environment

Stage 2 - SELECT AN ISSUE Once you have documented the problem and assessed the political environment, the next step is to choose the preferred policy issue or intervention.

Stage 3 - DEVELOP A STRATEGY Building on your data collection and issue selection, you develop a strategy including campaign goals, organizational resources and needs, allies and opponents, targets and tactics.

Stage 4 - BROADEN YOUR COALITION A healthy campaign committee operates according to certain principles and at the same time strives to meet unique needs of its member organizations.

Stage 5 - COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR TARGET Starting open communication with your target (decision makers/officeholders), early, is important to get a feel for their positions on the issues.

Stage 6 - IMPLEMENT ACTIVITIES The implementation stage includes outreach and media activities, new policy implementation, activities to increase enforcement and merchant education efforts. Outreach and Media | New Policy | Enforcement | Merchant Education

Stage 7- EVALUATE YOUR CAMPAIGN It is essential that the impact of local and statewide efforts be understood. You must evaluate your efforts so that successful intervention can be replicated.