Idaho Milliennium Tobacco Cessation Program: State programs evaluation report

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of the health district funded tobacco cessation programs in Idaho at reaching pregnant women and adolescents. Decreasing the prevalence of tobacco use remains an important community and economic issue, especially for groups at higher risk for health problems. Resources for community programs are limited and, as such, evaluation is a vital component in maintaining their effectiveness and longevity.

States similar to Idaho were surveyed to obtain qualitative data regarding program methods, potential difficulties with programs, and recommendations for possible program changes. Health district personnel and cessation instructors within the state of Idaho were also surveyed regarding similar topics. Information was also obtained from relevant literature and materials provided by the states we contacted..

Even with the obstacles of providing cessation services to targeted groups in a largely rural state, Idaho's program outcomes compared favorably with data provided by the other states for pregnant women and adolescents. One of the strengths of Idaho's program is that evaluations are conducted and reviewed on a regular basis.

Recommendations for further improvements were made based upon findings from the survey responses and research. These included working more closely with healthcare providers to develop a referral system with community programs, offering free- or reduced-cost nicotine replacement therapies, increasing the coordination of training that program personnel and instructors receive, and increasing the funding for marketing of the cessation program. Implementing these recommendations will allow Idaho to further decrease the prevalence of tobacco use.