Ten Weeks to a Smoke Free Life

In response to the implementation of the PA Clean Indoor Act in PA, together with our marketing firm, we created a 10 week/10 topic series on the steps to quitting tobacco use. It was picked it up by a local TV station reaching 5 of the 10 counties served by the Partnership, with the final segment airing on the Great American SmokeOut.

The 10 segments covered such topics as preparing to quit, reasons why you smoke, what to expect the first few weeks, how to avoid weight gain, stress management and staying quit. To reach the largest audience the segments were aired on the Sunrise edition of the morning news show. The TV station expanded the initial project to include following a local business owner who was in the process of quitting smoking. Five taped segments were aired on the evening broadcast prior to the regularly scheduled live series which aired at 7:50 a.m. Weekly segments were posted on both our website and the TV station's website in an effort to reach additional viewers.

The program raised awareness of existing tobacco treatment resources and encouraged tobacco users to seek treatment. We were able to promote the new regional website which provides specific treatment options and contacts, educational information, a toll free telephone number, and resources on a variety of tobacco-related topics for adults, college students and teens. .

Building an excellent relationship with local media outlets provides opportunities for collaboration on many levels, including earned media and follow-up programming.