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Interviews with more than 1400 households in Southwest Baltimore (SWB) revealed that 55% of the adults smoked, despite the state of Maryland having the 11th lowest smoking prevalence in the nation. This startling discovery started a partnership between SWB and Morgan State University that is now in its 13th year. In Phase I of CEASE (Communities Engaged and Advocating for Smoke-free Environments), smokers were randomly assigned to individual or group counseling sessions conducted by health personnel in a community health center. There were no differences between individual and group approaches (which made groups the most cost-effective). Retention (the single best predictor of cessation) was low. Health providers were not very effective, participants did not like coming to the CHC, and they wandered in and out of their assigned groups. Consequently, Phase II moved the groups into community settings and used trained Peer Motivators who were recruited from the neighborhoods they served. Improving the cultural competence of the leaders and the social cohesion of the groups increased smoking cessation rates among those who attended more than six sessions to almost 50%. Phase III of CEASE continues efforts to increase retention, has added components for youth advocates, and is varying the length and format of interventions to identify the most successful. Presenters are researchers, youth leaders and community partners.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)