The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58594

Esther Jimenez, BA¹, Kay M. Adkins, MPH¹, Michele Jacknik, MSEd¹, Veronica Acosta-DePrez, PhD, CHES², and Mohammed Forouzesh, MPH, PhD³. (1) Tobacco Use Reduction Now (TURN) program, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, 505 North Arrowhead Avenue, Suite 500, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0048, 909-388-5777, ejimenez@dph.sbcounty.gov, (2) Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840, (3) California State University at Long Beach, Health Sciences Department, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840-0006

This presentation describes successful health education and promotion activities by the Tobacco Use Reduction Now Program to facilitate implementation of smoke-free vehicles in San Bernardino County. The objective was to decrease the number of vehicles with evidence of smoking by 25%. A pre-test survey was conducted on August 1998 in carwash establishments in two cities, Ontario and San Bernardino. The survey included driver’s demographic information; make and model of vehicle, and radio stations tuned in. Additionally, presence of cigarette butts, tobacco smell, child seats, visible cigarette burns or damage to upholstery; and the presence of cigarette-related objects in the car were also included. 190 pre-test surveys were conducted in the city of San Bernardino and 136 in Ontario. Following the pretest, activities related to community collaboration and mobilization, development of educational materials, promotion and incentives, media campaigns, and policy adoption were implemented. A posttest survey was conducted in both cities at the end of 2000. Results showed a marked decrease in cigarette smoking in cars; tobacco smell in vehicles was reduced from 52.9% to 19.3% in San Bernardino, and from 30.6% to 19% in Ontario. Results were attributed to educational programs and campaigns, media promotion, and policy adoption. Related challenges and barriers will be discussed. Salute to the Route 66 is a program that puts the brakes on secondhand tobacco smoke exposure in vehicles, and drives health educators teaming together with communities to make a difference in saving lives.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss strategies for encouraging smoke-free vehicles.
• Identify two reasons for involving car enthusiasts in secondhand smoke exposure prevention interventions.
• Create a plan for a community-based tobacco-free cars program.

Keywords: Smoking, Community Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.