The goal of the Break Free Alliance is to end the cycle of tobacco use and poverty by engaging key organizations serving low SES populations in tobacco control efforts and to assist them with resource development and assessments, technical assistance, capacity building, and evaluation to prevent and reduce tobacco use in low-income communities.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) individuals have poorer health, exhibit fewer healthy behaviors, and are less likely to pursue preventive health care.  These underserved populations are multi-ethnic, multi-cultural communities having little to no resources that provide tobacco education or control services.  Throughout the U.S., children and adults in low SES populations suffer disproportionately from tobacco-related morbidity and mortality.  Clearly, there is a need to network groups and organizations servicing low SES populations in a national effort to reduce tobacco use.  Connecting such groups is one of the Alliance's goals.

NEW RESOURCE! Tobacco Taxes and their impact on populations of low socioeconomic status.  This document summarizes recent studies on the issue, and provides recommendations for advocates to direct funding back into tobacco prevention and cessation programs that serve low SES individuals.