They work to facilitate the development and implementation of comprehensive and culturally competent public health programs to benefit communities and people of African descent.

NAATPN's mission is to "facilitate the development and implementation of comprehensive and community competent public health programs to benefit communities and people of African descent". Since its inception, NAATPN has facilitated and implemented numerous tobacco control activities that are based on the recommendations of CDC's Best Practices for Tobacco Control Programs and the Guide to Community Preventive Services.

In 1998, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) began funding a National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) consisting of states, territories, tribes, and National Organizations.  OSH added to the NTCP, six funded National Networks representing African American; American Indian/Alaska Native; Asian American/Pacific Islander; Hispanic/Latino; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender; Women and Youth; and Low Socio-economic Populations.

In 2008, OSH began funding the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAATPN) to focus tobacco control leadership, expertise and promotion in the African American community.

NAATPN maintains and strengthens its national network by recruiting participants (throughout the project period) with expertise in: industry targeting; data; strategies to implement proven or promising interventions; and resources for specific populations.

NAATPN facilitates learning and information sharing between Network participants, CDC OSH, States, and other national tobacco control partners by raising the awareness and importance of tobacco control among Network participants and the organizations they may represent. NAATPN uses its new website (www.naatpn.org) and listserv as mechanisms for communicating information to and from Network participants.

NAATPN works closely with the research community as well its Network participants to assess the impact of tobacco on African Americans and to identify gaps in available data, interventions and needed resources.  NAATPN works with national and local funding agencies to develop and implement community (culturally) competent programs to address these gaps based on recommendations by our Network participants. The organization's national headquarters is located in Durham, NC.