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

Abstract #72694

Barbara Pizacani, PhD, MPH¹, Julie E. Maher, PhD, MS¹, Craig H. Mosbaek, MPH², Kristen L. Rohde, MA³, and Mike J. Stark, PhD¹. (1) Program Design and Evaluation Services, Multnomah County Health Department and Oregon Department of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232, 503-731-4273, barbara.a.pizacani@state.or.us, (2) Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, Oregon Department of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland, OR 97232, (3) Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, Oregon Department Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland, OR 97232

Smokers of low socioeconomic status (SES) who are considering quitting represent an important target for comprehensive tobacco control programs. Our objective was to describe these smokers’ beliefs about an existing statewide telephone quitline and their perceptions of the motivational value of potential anti-tobacco media messages. We are selecting smokers from a random-digit-dialed survey of behavioral risk factors in Oregon. Using a structured telephone questionnaire, we intend to interview 200 low SES smokers and a comparison group of 200 smokers of higher SES. Participants must be 25-64 years old and seriously considering quitting. Based on preliminary analysis of the first 106 low SES participants, almost half (44%) had heard of the Oregon Tobacco Quit Line, though only 21% of those had called it. Many inaccurately thought the service was fee-based (57%) and felt that the quitline staff would lecture them about smoking (60%). Media messages most commonly reported as motivating were: “If you quit smoking you would have an extra thousand dollars a year to spend” (93%); “Smoking-related diseases start sooner than you think” (89%); and “We understand how hard it is to quit and the Oregon Tobacco Quitline is here to help” (84%). These findings suggest that emphasis on short-term health consequences and having extra money to spend may be motivating messages for cessation among low SES smokers. They may need to be informed that quitline staff are supportive and that the service is free and effective. We will compare these results to those for smokers of higher SES.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• 3. Describe beliefs about an existing statewide telephone quitline among low SES smokers who want to quit
  6. Describe perceptions of the motivational value of potential anti-tobacco media messages among low SES smokers who want to quit
  9. Discuss implications for targeting tobacco control programs

Keywords: Smoking, Social Class

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.