Using Community Engagement to Address Injustices: A Case Study of San Francisco Tobacco-Free Coalition

<p dir="ltr">This case study research examined the San Francisco Tobacco-Free Coalition (SFTFC)’s fight to remove menthol and flavored tobacco products from the marketplace. The SFTFC relies on grassroots infrastructure to guide and shape tobacco control efforts in African American communities. SFTFC operates at the intersection of social injustice and public health policy. The uniqueness of SFTFC is its work with health jurisdictions, elected officials, community-based organizations, activities, and faith-based communities. SFTFC also strives to ban menthol and flavored tobacco products using community engagement methods to address anti-tobacco initiatives. This case emphasized the possibility of replicability across the United States (U.S.).</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable illnesses and early death both in the U.S. and around the world. Tobacco use plays a major role in health conditions that disproportionately affect African Americans, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Ongoing tobacco use within racial and ethnic minority communities in the U. S. remains a serious public health issue. Community engagement can impact changes to elevate the regulation of the sale of menthol and flavored tobacco products and contribute appropriately to policy changes. Currently, there is a need for continued evidence on how community engagement works for such tobacco-related changes in the African American community. This study explored how this is done and includes recommendations for the future. </p><p><br></p>