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 In the year 2000, The NC Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch (TPCB) called together a group of public health professionals, health agency representatives, academics and others, to develop a strategic plan for tobacco prevention and control for North Carolina. Approximately 80 individuals contributed time, information and effort to development of this plan, which the TPCB calls “Vision 2010: A Comprehensive Plan”
(PDF, 959 kb).
The plan, unveiled in May, 2001, is still our blueprint for success. Though a few of the goals – especially around teen smoking – have been met, most of the other initiatives have not been adequately funded to meet their goals. The closing lines of the plan’s summary are as true now as they were in 2001: “An unprecedented opportunity lies before us to make a wise investment in a comprehensive tobacco control program that will bolster the personal and economic health of the citizens of North Carolina.”
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