Bringing Tobacco Control to Those Who Need It Most: Oregon's Tobacco Control Integration Project

Oregon's Tobacco Control Integration Project (TCIP) is an innovative approach to reducing tobacco use among people with fewer resources. TCIP was one of 13 states winning American Recovery and Reinvestment Act competitive funding and one of only five receiving funding for tobacco control. In Oregon, people with lower incomes and educational levels smoke at more than three times the rate of those with higher incomes and more education. People in poverty don't live, work or socialize in the same places, making it difficult to reach them with consistent educational messages or cessation resources. They are also more exposed to secondhand smoke. TCIP overcomes these difficulties by working with agencies providing services to Oregonians in need to change policies and procedures that affect their clients. TCIP has formed partnerships between the Public Health Division and all divisions providing health and human services. Division partners bring a thorough understanding of their own systems and a deep, sincere desire to improve the lives of their clients. TCIP brings an understanding of the systemic change needed to help people quit using tobacco and how to prevent youth from starting. By integrating comprehensive tobacco control into all divisions, TCIP can reach about half the smokers in the state, roughly 250,000 people. This presentation will provide an overview of the project and progress on reaching goals and objectives as well as information attendees will need in order to replicate TCIP in their states.