How Fast Policy Can Change: A Lesson for Tobacco Prevention Advocates

About the Author: Jordan Moss has served as the Program Director for the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Delaware County since 2018, leading efforts to reduce tobacco use and promote healthier, tobacco-free communities. Through partnerships with local organizations, youth engagement, and policy advocacy, he works to create lasting change and improve health outcomes across the county.

Did you know that a protective tobacco-free policy that had been in place for years could be changed in just 35 days? That just happened in Delaware County, Indiana, and it is a powerful reminder that advocates must stay informed, organized, and ready to act at any moment.

Policy change can happen quickly, sometimes faster than communities can respond. The recent changes in Delaware County, creating an exemption from Indiana’s smoke-free laws for indoor smoking in cigar bars, highlight just how rapidly a long-standing public health protection can be altered, even in the face of strong opposition and clear health concerns.

Perhaps most concerning was that there was no public hearing. Community members were not given a formal opportunity to voice concerns, ask questions, or provide input to the County Commissioners before the decision was made. Transparency is a cornerstone of good policy, and when it is missing, it limits residents’ ability to engage in decisions that directly affect their health.

Despite this, there was clear community support for keeping the existing policy. A petition gathered local voices in opposition to the change, but it was not able to stop the cigar bar exemption. This highlights a critical reality: while community support matters, it must often be paired with visible advocacy, public testimony, and consistent engagement with decision-makers to have the strongest impact.

Even more striking was the broad group of experts against the amendment of the cigar bar exemption. Input came from the local health department, a local pulmonologist, community members, a local tobacco control expert, a cancer agency, and national organizations. These voices brought evidence-based concerns about the health risks and economic downsides of tobacco exposure, yet their recommendations were ultimately set aside.

At one point, commissioners acknowledged the health risks but indicated that those concerns were not central to their decision-making. This underscores another important lesson: data and science alone are not always enough to drive policy decisions. Advocates must also focus on storytelling, community impact, and sustained relationship-building with leaders.

Finally, many individuals who were privately opposed to the change, including ex-smokers, bar owners, and other community members, chose not to speak publicly due to fear of backlash. This is a common barrier in advocacy work. When supportive voices remain silent, decision-makers may perceive less opposition than actually exists.

So, what can volunteers take away from this?

• Stay alert: Policy changes can move quickly.
• Speak up early and often: Silence can be mistaken for support.
• Build relationships: Decision-makers need to hear from trusted community voices regularly—not just during crises.
• Pair data with stories: Personal impact can be just as powerful as statistics.

Most importantly, this example shows that protecting public health requires ongoing engagement. Policies that took years to establish can be weakened in a matter of weeks. As advocates, staying informed, involved, and vocal is essential to ensuring healthier communities for everyone.