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Tobacco consumption is one of the most relevant behavior-based health risks. It has been estimated that there are 14,000-18,000 tobacco-related deaths each year in Bavaria, Germany. Thus, efficient tobacco prevention, which involves measures of behavior-oriented as well as of condition-oriented prevention at the Federal State level, is a priority objective of prevention politics in Bavaria. Measures of behavior-oriented prevention account for the fact that tobacco prevention affects private lifestyles, where statutory provisions may not be effectual. However, smoking bans have achieved the creation of smoke-free living spaces especially for children and adolescents. In the long term, it is essential to enhance evaluation of tobacco prevention, to pay more attention to sustainability of approved projects, and to ensure a smoke-free environment for children and adolescents. The Bavarian health program "Gesund.Leben.Bayern." is an important platform for this.

Aim. The authors introduced a new public health initiative in Bavaria. Subjects and methods. The initiative called Gesund.Leben.Bayern. (Healthy Living in Bavaria) applies a complementary promotion-prevention approach to the settings of daily living. The priorities for the Bavarian initiative are based on specific Bavarian epidemiological data and the Bavarian situation, and reflect WHO recommendations, including those contained in the World Health Report 2002. Results. The initiative includes four priorities for public cofinancing and recognition: freedom from tobacco smoke, responsible use of alcohol, availability and choice of healthy nutrition and sufficient physical exercise opportunities, and health promotion at the workplace. A specific aspect of the Bavarian initiative is the requirement for explicit evaluation, aiming at generating new evidence of adequacy, success and cost-effectiveness of different prevention and promotion approaches. First steps have been taken: gearing up for participation and shaping the strategy; setting up a programme secretariat; building criteria for evidence, self reporting and evaluation into the application form; gearing up for scientific support; and setting an example of good practice. Conclusion. Bavaria is embarking on an evidence-based, focused and participative approach to health promotion and disease prevention that aims at improving the participants' health and quality of life.

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