Key to Cessation: Boots on the Ground

Audience:

State and local public health agencies involved in comprehensive tobacco control efforts

Key Points:

In 2008, the Texas Department of State Health Services began funding six coalitions around the state to provide comprehensive tobacco prevention and control activities based on best practice guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, these coalitions were supported by state purchased media campaigns to support tobacco cessation and promote the state’s telephone quitline. When compared to communities who received only cessation media or no intervention, communities where local coalitions are active in comprehensive tobacco prevention and control activities show a dramatically higher rate of calls for cessation services from the state’s telephone quitline that has increased over time. The increased number of calls relates to an increased number of individuals who are quitting tobacco, thus creating a long-term benefit to the community through reduced demand for health care services (and the associated costs) and increased productivity. The synergy of local activities around prevention to tobacco initiation, promoting cessation and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke change the social norms within the community and inspire tobacco users thinking about quitting to take action.

Educational Experience:

Through lecture and handouts, audience will learn key points and how to make comparisons within their own programs.

Benefits:

This session will review the variations between the three intervention areas, the roles and impact of the community coalitions and the mid to long term outcomes that made a difference in the health of the community.