Implementation of a regional tobacco cessation model and strategies with the focus on prevention in rural and underserved communities in Florida

INTRODUCTION: Florida has a history in tobacco prevention efforts emphasizing training of professions and smoking cessation. Of adults who smoke, 89 percent began smoking at 18 years or younger, with 20 percent of deaths in Florida attributed to cigarette smoking. The 2008 Department of Health and Human Services Clinical Practice Guidelines presents compelling evidence that counseling is effective for smokers motivated to become tobacco abstinent. Although many smokers attempt to quit at least once, research demonstrates the majority will relapse. Formal cessation methods including group classes supported with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), promote a reduction in relapses.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of Florida Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Regional service area Quit Smoking Now (QSN) Cessation Model Program in reducing adult smoking, relapse and prevalence of smoking.

METHODS: Describe the implementation of smoking cessation strategies in the QSN model coupled with NRT in rural and underserved communities. Observed changes in adult prevalence of those enrolled in classes were compared during 2008-2009.

RESULTS: There has been an increase in requests for QSN cessation programs and reduction in smoking among participants in rural and underserved communities. There was an additional enhancement and placement of trained cessation specialists in community-based sites. The effectiveness of the program demonstrated statistical significance in the quit-smoking rate at tested intervals.

CONCLUSION: The AHEC QSN model demonstrated its viability in reducing smoking use overall with the enrolled participants and its effectiveness in enabling strategies for outreach to groups of new entrants to the Quit Smoking Now classes.