Promising models for in-person tobacco cessation group programs

Audience: State tobacco control program managers, tobacco treatment specialists, and others interested in in-person cessation programs. Key Points: In-person, group cessation classes offer the possibility for intensive tobacco cessation counseling, however the reach of such initiatives to state tobacco users is often low. This presentation will describe findings from an evaluation of two promising models for providing effective in-person cessation programming to high numbers of tobacco users in the state of Florida. The first program focused its efforts on a broad-based systems change approach in which one component was providing access to community cessation counseling services. The program partnered with health systems and community organizations to provide clinician training, based on evidence-based curriculum, technical assistance to optimize tobacco-dependency treatment protocols, prevention education, and patient referral to counseling.  Through this comprehensive approach, the program is able to reach high numbers of tobacco users throughout its large service area. The second model focused on providing a highly-intensive program, encouraging cessation program participants to continue with counseling and/or accessing a fully developed relapse prevention program until they successfully quit, which has resulted in very high quit outcomes. Findings from an independent evaluation have determined that both programs are effectively helping participants to quit and participant satisfaction with both programs is very high. Educational Experience: This information will be provided via oral presentation in the format of two case studies of successful programs. Benefits: Ideas from these two case studies can be applied by tobacco program managers and treatment specialists to in-person cessation efforts.