National Working Group for ACTTION

February 23, 2010

Public advertising and promotional campaigns can help create the environment that encourages smokers to decide to make the effort to quit and supports them in their quitting efforts.  Recent news report provided examples of state and local government cessation campaigns.

In early January, San Francisco began a citywide public awareness campaign aimed to help smokers break their addiction. Using 42 poster board and transit sites across San Francisco, the ad campaign uses the message—Make Today the Day—to decide to quit, and then take the steps necessary to do so.

The ad campaign urges smokers to contact their doctor to learn more about the wide selection of resources and treatments—and, directs people to the American Lung Association for help. The phone number on the ad is the American Lung Association’s Helpline.  The Helpline connects the caller to a registered nurse or respiratory therapist who will be able to answer their questions and provide them with resources and support.

Pennsylvania promoted its Determined to Quit week, January 24-30, with a proclamation by its governor. The week was intended to raise awareness about the many resources available to help residents quit smoking.  To help facilitate quitting by smokers, the state Department of Health provided free nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, kits to state residents who called the Pennsylvania Free Quitline. The NRT kits, paid for with funding from a legal settlement with the tobacco industry, include a four-week supply of nicotine patches as well as other information to help make the quit attempt successful. Those who qualify must be willing to enroll in the Quitline coaching program and set an actual quit date.

Additional information and support is offered through http://www.determinedtoquit.com. The Web site provides guidance in developing a quit plan, a quit companion and calculator, and video blogs of Pennsylvanians sharing their own stories about quitting tobacco.

In other state news, calls to Iowa’s quitline increased by more than one third in December and January.  This increase came despite a decrease in the number of smokers in the state.  “Whether it’s the economy or some other factor, these numbers clearly show that Iowans appreciate and need this valuable public health service,” Iowa Department of Public Health Director Tom Newton said.  During January, callers to Quitline Iowa could receive a four-week supply of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges to help in their cessation effort.  The Quitline has also received $635,919 in grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to expand Quitline Iowa and promote its use through expanded media campaigns.