Results from a Brief Intervention to Promote Smoke-Free Homes among 2-1-1 Clients

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) and despite significant declines in exposure due to smoking restrictions at work and public places, children and nonsmoking adults who live with a smoker continue to experience significant exposure to SHS in the home. This study tests the efficacy of a brief telephone and print based intervention among low income households recruited through United Way of Greater Atlanta 2-1-1.  2-1-1s are an information and referral system connecting people to available resources in their area and a promising infrastructure for delivering health interventions because of their large reach to disadvantaged populations. The 500 participants were randomly assigned to control or treatment condition post baseline. Treatment participants received the intervention comprised of 3 sets of mailed print materials and 1 coaching call. Follow-up data was collected at 3- and 6-months and passive air nicotine monitoring was used to validate self-reported home smoking bans at 3 months.The study population was mostly female (82.8%), African American (83.2%), and unemployed (76.6%), with a household income of $10,000 or less (55.6%). At 6 months post baseline (79% response), significantly more intervention participants reported a full ban on smoking in the home than control participants (40.0% vs. 25.2%, p = .0009). The intervention worked equally well for smokers and non-smokers as well as those with or without children in the home. The brief intervention was effective in promoting full smoking bans in low income households.