The CAPITAL Coalition is a group of individuals and organizations concerned with health and safety issues related to tobacco use. The Coalition is made up of volunteers dedicated to action, providing positive and healthy activities in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton Counties, which are located in the Central part of Michigan, USA. The CAPITAL Coalition represents individuals and organizations who serve ethnic minorities, women, adolescents, blue collar workers, and heavy smokers.

The acronym CAPITAL stands for Capital Area Partnership Impacting Tobacco And Lifestyles. CAPITAL Coalition members include more than 45 active organizations and individuals, and an additional 1500 community members who are committed to tobacco prevention. We encourage interested members to attend committee meetings to gain an understanding of our Coalition. We will also provide Membership Application to organizations and individuals interested in participation. The six committees are: Community Groups, Community Environment, Media, Schools, Advocacy and Community Smoking Cessation. In addition to committee participation we are also involved in several special events throughout the year.

Community prevention efforts have existed in the capital area for more than 25 years. Some of our most recent accomplishments follow. In 1993, Ingham County passed a local regulation to help stop tobacco sales to minors. The regulation is administered by the Ingham County Health Department and requires a license to sell tobacco within the Ingham County. Retailers caught making unlawful sales are fined and face license suspension after the second violation. We are proud to be one of three counties in Michigan with this regulation. The Community Environment Committee was successful in creating a smoke free environment in Oldsmobile Stadium where the Lansing Lugnuts (minor league "A") baseball team play. The Coalition also counted the number of tobacco billboards in Ingham County. Using these numbers, the Advocacy Committee was able to assist in the passage of a ban on tobacco billboards in the City of Lansing. Members of the Coalition are available to school districts, restaurants and worksites to offer assistance in becoming smokefree 24-hours a day.

The CAPITAL Coalition and our members attempt to save lives and promote health with a focus on reaching ethnic minorities, women, adolescents, blue collar workers, and heavy smokers. The Coalition effort is concerned with smoking policies, laws and regulations, as well as public perceptions and societal tolerance for smoking behaviors. For more information, please contact: HedMoore@Ingham.Org

Go Back To: Health Promotion Page Ingham County website or the Health Dept webpage