Tobacco & Nicotine: Public Health, Science, Policy, and Law from Coursera

This course provides a strong foundation in the history of smoking and other tobacco and nicotine use; the individual and public health impact; tobacco use prevalence trends in adults, youth and key subpopulations; and how cigarette smoking came to be, and remains to this day, the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. and globally, despite the fact that tobacco control efforts have collectively constituted one of the most successful public health endeavors in our history.

The course also explores the role of the tobacco industry in the epidemic, as well as the pursuit of accountability and industry behavior change through legal action; the rapidly evolving tobacco and nicotine product marketplace; the unique and ever-changing regulatory and other policy challenges that have emerged; and the implications of this rapid change for public health today and in the future.

Hosted by lead instructor Cliff Douglas of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, the course features 18 experts in a range of tobacco control areas and issues. Through a series of lectures, interviews, readings, and assessments, the course tells the story of smoking and tobacco and nicotine product use, focusing on the specific - but not unique - story of the U.S., while also presenting important information and insights from elsewhere in the world.

What's inside

Syllabus

Tobacco, Nicotine, and Health: The Current Landscape in the U.S.

This module provides an overview of the history and current state of the tobacco epidemic. You will learn about the health effects of both combustible and non-combustible tobacco and nicotine products, the causes of smoking, and key trends in cigarette and other tobacco/nicotine product use.

Tobacco Industry: Vector of the Smoking Epidemic

This module describes the strategies and tactics used by the tobacco industry that created and continue to perpetuate the smoking epidemic, and it also begins to explore the complexities of contemporary and potential future relationships between the public health community and the tobacco industry.

Tobacco Policy: History and Best Practices

This module introduces the major aspects of tobacco control policy interventions and their effects on tobacco consumption and health historically, in addition to newer policy approaches. You will learn about non-governmental policy interventions, state and federal level policy, and global policy as they relate to tobacco control, and you will understand the importance of considering unintended consequences of policy interventions.

Legal Action: The Pursuit of Accountability and Industry Behavior Change

This module provides a look into the legal strategies pursued to address the tobacco industry's impact on U.S. public health, covering the period of the 1950s to 2020 and beyond. Lectures and interviews provide first hand accounts of this fascinating and ongoing pursuit.

Tobacco Harm Reduction, Product Regulation, and the Continuum of Risk

This module explores the concept of harm reduction as it relates to tobacco control and encourages you to think critically about the controversies that have been raise in this ongoing debate. You will learn about alternative products and where they fall on the continuum of risk, issues of adult cessation and youth initiation, and some potential paths forward in terms of policy.

Using Modeling to Project the Impact of Tobacco Policy

This module provides an overview of modeling and its role in tobacco policy and tobacco regulatory science with a focus on the U.S. federal policy context. Three examples of how modeling has been used in this field are covered: menthol cigarette bans, youth nicotine use, and forecasting future smoking prevalence.

The Tobacco Endgame

This module describes the overall tobacco landscape, both in the U.S. and globally, and how tobacco control may look in the coming decades. Additionally, you will consider the "tobacco endgame" and complete a Peer Review assignment which allows you to choose an endgame strategy and analyze it. Finally, you will reflect on the issues within tobacco control that have been highlighted throughout this course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores history of smoking and tobacco using a case-study approach focused on the United States

Features 18 experts in tobacco control, providing multiple perspectives on the topic

Takes a public health approach to tobacco control, focusing on the impact on individual and public health

Offers a comprehensive overview of tobacco control, including policy, legal, and harm reduction approaches

Taught by Cliff Douglas, a leading expert in tobacco control at the University of Michigan School of Public Health

Requires students to have a basic understanding of public health principles

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Tobacco & Nicotine: Public Health, Science, Policy, and Law with these activities:

Organize and Review Course Materials

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Maintain a well-organized system for studying and access essential course materials quickly.

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Download or print all lecture slides, readings, and assignments
Create a system for organizing and filing materials
Regularly review materials to reinforce concepts

Calculate the Health Risks of Smoking

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Completing this activity will provide you with practice calculating the health risks of smoking, which will enhance your understanding of the dangers of smoking.

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Use the CDC's online tool to calculate the health risks of smoking
Estimate the number of years of life lost due to smoking
Compare the health risks of smoking to the health risks of other unhealthy behaviors

Analyze Tobacco Industry Documents

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Develop critical thinking and analytical skills in evaluating tobacco industry documents.

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Access the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library
Select documents relevant to a specific topic or theme
Identify key strategies, arguments, and tactics used by the tobacco industry

Five other activities

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Attend a Tobacco Control Policy Forum

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Engage with tobacco control experts and learn about the latest policy initiatives and research.

Browse courses on Public Health Advocacy

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Research upcoming tobacco control policy forums
Register and attend the selected forum
Actively participate in discussions and Q&A sessions

Develop a Tobacco Control Campaign

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This activity will allow you to apply your knowledge of tobacco control strategies to create a campaign to reduce smoking rates.

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Identify the target audience for your campaign
Develop a message that will resonate with your target audience
Create materials for your campaign, such as posters, brochures, and social media content
Implement your campaign and track its progress

Create a Policy Brief on Tobacco Control Legislation

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Become familiar with tobacco control policies and their potential impact.

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Research current tobacco control legislation and best practices
Identify a specific policy area to focus on
Develop a policy brief that outlines the policy proposal, supporting evidence, and potential benefits

Design a Public Health Campaign Against Smoking

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Develop creative and persuasive strategies for promoting tobacco cessation.

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Define the target audience and objectives of the campaign
Develop creative messaging and visuals
Choose appropriate channels for campaign dissemination

Mentor a New Student in Tobacco Control

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Share your knowledge and experience to support and empower students interested in tobacco control.

Browse courses on Tobacco Control

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Contact the course instructor or teaching assistant to express interest
Attend orientation or training for mentors
Connect with mentees and provide guidance and support

Career center

Learners who complete Tobacco & Nicotine: Public Health, Science, Policy, and Law will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists play a critical role in protecting public health by investigating and controlling the spread of diseases. The course provides a foundation in tobacco and nicotine use, including individual and public health impacts, and how cigarette smoking contributes to preventable deaths. This understanding allows epidemiologists to better identify and address the causes of tobacco-related diseases, develop preventive strategies, and advocate for public health policies that reduce tobacco use.

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Public Health Policy Analyst

Public health policy analysts develop and evaluate policies that promote health and prevent disease. This course helps build a foundation for understanding how tobacco industry tactics and behaviors impact public health, as well as the role of legal action in holding the industry accountable. The course also explores contemporary policy challenges and implications for the future, equipping policy analysts with the knowledge and skills to develop and advocate for effective tobacco control policies.

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Tobacco Control Advocate

Tobacco control advocates work to reduce tobacco use and its harmful effects on health. This course provides a comprehensive overview of tobacco and nicotine use, including its history, industry strategies, and policy interventions. By understanding the complexities of tobacco control, advocates can effectively advocate for evidence-based policies and programs that promote smoke-free environments, reduce youth nicotine use, and protect public health from the devastating consequences of tobacco.

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Healthcare Lobbyist

Healthcare lobbyists represent the interests of healthcare providers, patients, and organizations before government officials. This course helps build a foundation for understanding tobacco regulation, legal challenges, and industry behavior. Healthcare lobbyists can use this knowledge to advocate for policies that promote public health and protect patients from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

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Tobacco Cessation Specialist

Tobacco cessation specialists help individuals quit smoking and reduce their nicotine dependence. This course provides a comprehensive overview of tobacco use, including its health effects, addiction potential, and strategies for quitting. By understanding the challenges and complexities of tobacco use, cessation specialists can effectively guide individuals through the quitting process and provide the necessary support and resources to achieve lasting success.

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Health Communications Specialist

Health communications specialists develop and implement communication strategies to promote health and prevent disease. This course provides a foundation for understanding tobacco use, its health impacts, and effective communication strategies for tobacco control. Health communications specialists can use this knowledge to create and disseminate accurate and engaging health messages that encourage people to quit smoking, reduce tobacco use, and live healthier lives.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory affairs specialists ensure that companies comply with government regulations and standards. This course provides a foundation for understanding tobacco regulation, legal challenges, and industry behavior. Regulatory affairs specialists can use this knowledge to guide companies in developing and marketing tobacco products in compliance with applicable laws, while also protecting public health from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to solve problems and make informed decisions. This course provides a foundation for using data to understand tobacco use trends, evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco control interventions, and identify areas for improvement. Data analysts can use this knowledge to provide valuable insights to policymakers, researchers, and public health professionals working to reduce tobacco-related harm.

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Health Educator

Health educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course provides a foundation for understanding tobacco use, its health effects, and effective educational strategies for tobacco control. Health educators can use this knowledge to create and deliver engaging educational programs that empower individuals and communities to make healthy choices and reduce tobacco-related harm.

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Market Researcher

Market researchers conduct research to understand consumer behavior and market trends. This course provides a foundation for understanding the tobacco industry, consumer behavior, and the impact of marketing on tobacco use. Market researchers can use this knowledge to conduct research that informs tobacco control policies and strategies and helps reduce the prevalence of tobacco-related harm.

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Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors help individuals overcome addiction and substance use disorders. This course provides a foundation for understanding tobacco use, its addictive nature, and evidence-based treatment approaches. Substance abuse counselors can use this knowledge to provide effective counseling and support to individuals seeking to quit smoking and reduce tobacco use.

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Health Policy Researcher

Health policy researchers conduct research to inform the development and implementation of health policies. This course provides a foundation for understanding tobacco policy, the role of the tobacco industry, and the impact of policy on tobacco use. Health policy researchers can use this knowledge to conduct research that informs evidence-based tobacco control policies and strategies.

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Attorney

Attorneys represent clients in legal matters and advocate for their interests. This course provides a foundation for understanding tobacco litigation, legal challenges, and the role of law in tobacco control. Attorneys can use this knowledge to represent clients affected by tobacco-related harm, hold the tobacco industry accountable, and advocate for policies that protect public health from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

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Nonprofit Executive

Nonprofit executives lead and manage nonprofit organizations working to achieve social and environmental change. This course provides a foundation for understanding tobacco control, the role of advocacy, and the management of nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit executives can use this knowledge to lead organizations working to reduce tobacco use, protect public health, and create a smoke-free future.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on current events and issues. This course provides a foundation for understanding tobacco control, the role of the media, and the importance of accurate and unbiased reporting. Journalists can use this knowledge to inform the public about tobacco-related issues, hold the tobacco industry accountable, and advocate for policies that protect public health from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

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