Tobacco cessation with military communities: A statewide perspective

Military service members have a much higher tobacco use rate than members of the general public. Due to this disproportionate use and the longstanding, unique cultural history of this population, service members must be addressed by public health professionals in a culturally appropriate way including specific tobacco cessation resources, appropriate programmatic considerations, and branch specific efforts. The distinct public health challenges of military communities were the focus of the partnership between the California Smokers' Helpline and Project UNIFORM (California's statewide military specific program). This unique collaboration ensured that appropriate interventions were used with service members who utilized the statewide, telephone-based tobacco cessation program. While the collaboration that exists between the two programs is unique, it is could also be easily duplicated by other states and communities. Participants will benefit from the relevant programmatic experience as well as the distinctive and transferable perspective the presenters showcase. A lively and interactive discussion will take place to help participants apply the presenters' experiences to their current or future work with military communities.