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    What is advocacy - and why do it?

    Ali Anderson
    Ali Anderson
    December 16, 2023
    3 min read
    Download Source FilesDownload Source Files

    At its heart, advocacy means helping you to get your voice heard by people in power.

    It’s a way to ensure that you can:

    • understand important issues that affect you
    • express your views
    • stand up for your rights, and 
    • be involved in key legislative decisions.  

    Your voice is amplified when advocacy brings together a community of like-minded people to create a movement for change. 

    It works to spotlight the perspective of the group to the wider public and politicians, and directly influence key policy decisions.

    “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” - Nelson Mandela 

    Advocacy uses hard-hitting, evidence-backed campaigns to change the perception of governments and politicians around a political or social issue. 

    These can include:

    Public education - providing accurate information to the public to raise awareness of the issue and dispel any myths.

    Lobbying
    - identifying who the key decision-makers are and influencing them through, for example, targeted mass letter-writing, social media interactions and petitions.

    Grassroots activities - bringing members of the group together for online and in-person events. Keeping them informed of upcoming legislative battles and how they can play an active part.

    Advocacy plays a critical role in protecting the rights of people who might otherwise be dismissed or ignored, and ensuring they are not marginalised or unfairly discriminated against. 

    It creates a strong sense of community and solidarity by providing a platform to meet others in a similar situation and share stories. 

    Crucially, advocacy ensures that you have your say in decisions that will directly affect your life. It supports you and acts on your behalf - it’s by your side and on your side. 


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    FAQs

    Campaigning can be difficult, especially if it's not your full time job, but we're here to make it simpler. In this section, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about legislative processes, advocacy strategies, and how you can effectively participate in shaping policies.

    What is advocacy and how can I get involved?

    Simply put, advocacy is organising a group of likeminded people who campaign for a change in government policy by talking to the people in power. This can take many forms, from posting on social media, to writing to your local politicians, to arranging meetings with the government or responding to consultations. We help by providing the information and tools you need to do this effectively.

    How can I track the progress of legislation?

    Government websites will usually contain a list of the legislative files that are in the process of becoming law. However, these kinds of websites are designed for legal and political professionals, and they can often be confusing for the general public. We help by keeping our ear to the ground, looking out for development in tobacco harm reduction proposals, and then make sure you have an easy-to-use summary.

    What's the best way to contact my representatives?

    Politicians are people too, and like everyone else, the best way to get messages to them varies from person to person. Some like email or even traditional mail, while others are constantly checking their social media feeds. They all have one thing in common though: they need to keep up to date with what matters to the people they represent. We help you find yours by keeping databases of politicians and candidates across Europe alongside all of their contact details, so you can quickly find out how to reach the person you need.

    Can I make a difference?

    Yes! The only reason that harm reduction is still alive and kicking in Europe today is because people like you, with no political or campaigning background, took action to protect the availability of the products they rely on to stay smoke free. We've got lots of articles that talk about when and how this has happened in the past, which we hope will inspire you to get involved and make a difference.

    Still have questions?

    Send us an email and we'll get back to you.

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