Influence of smoke-free laws on quitline utilization among underserved populations

Cigarette smoking produces staggering health-related costs to society. Kentucky ranks first in the nation in adult smoking prevalence and subsequently has one of the highest smoking attributable disease incidence and death rates in the U.S. In addition, certain populations disproportionately suffer from smoking-related disease and death. Studies demonstrate that enactment of smoke-free policies as well as providing population-based cessation services significantly decreases smoking rates. The CDC, as part of its Comprehensive Tobacco Control Initiative, has suggested, in addition to enacting smoke-free policies, every state implement a publicly-accessible telephone QuitLine for tobacco users who want to quit. The purpose of the study is to test the effects of the municipal smoke-free legislation/regulation on telephone QuitLine utilization rates, average daily cigarette consumption, and cessation rates among underserved rural, ethnic/minority, and low socioeconomic status cigarette smokers. Data will be analyzed from Kentucky cigarette smokers who initiated state telephone QuitLine contact between July 2005 and June 2009. The dataset provides a unique opportunity to examine telephone QuitLine usage and cessation rates in communities that have enacted various strengths of smoke-free legislation/regulation and those that have not. Results will provide novel information about the impact of smoke free laws/regulations on telephone QuitLine utilization and smoking-related outcomes among underserved populations. This information will assist in understanding, from a social justice perspective, how to guide the successful application, promotion, and dissemination of this evidence-based treatment, with the goal of refining effective treatment and informing policy development to ultimately reduce disparities in smoking-attributable cancer morbidity and mortality.