In 1997, subsequent to a voter initiated tax increase on tobacco, Oregon implemented a 8.5 million dollar/year comprehensive statewide tobacco prevention program consisting of county coalitions, school and tribal programs, a media campaign, and a Quitters Helpline. Methods: Measures of program outcome include cigarette consumption (derived from tax data), adult smoking prevalence (BRFSS), youth prevalence (school-based surveys), and prevalence among pregnant women (birth certificates). Results: From 1996 to 2000, cigarette consumption declined 23 %, (from 92.1 packs per capita to 70.7), adult smoking prevalence declined 14%, (23.4% to 20.2% (6-months, 2000)), and smoking among pregnant women dropped 18% (17.7 to 14.5 (1999)). Youth smoking also steeply decreased--8th grade prevalence declined 41% (22% in 1996 to 13% in 2000) and 11th grade smoking prevalence decreased 21% (28% to 22%). Results of a 1999-2000 comparison show a 22% decline in smoking prevalence among 8th grade students in schools funded to implement a comprehensive tobacco prevention program (16.6% in 1999 to 13% in 2000) compared to a 8% drop in 8th grade students from non-funded schools (17% in 1999 to 15.7% in 2000). Discussion: Oregon’s drop in consumption and prevalence outpaces national trends. For example, our 1996-2000 41% reduction in 8th grade smoking compares favorably to the 30% reduction in US 8th grade prevalence during the same time period. States that invest public health dollars in comprehensive tobacco control programs can be increasingly confident that they will reap the dividend of reduced tobacco use and attendant reductions in morbidity, mortality, economic burden.
Learning Objectives: Attendees will learn of several analytic strategies for understanding the impact of tobacco control programs on tobacco use.
Keywords: Smoking,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.