Pat Folan, RN¹, Virginia Reichert, NP², Lynn Villano, NP², N. Kohn³, C. Metz, PhD⁴, A Fein, MD⁵, D Schulman, RN⁵, and NFN Arunabh, MD². (1) Center For Tobacco Control, North Shore-LIJ Health System, 225 Community Dr, South Entrance, Great Neck, NY 11021, 516 466 1980, PFolan@nshs.edu, (2) Pulmonary Medicine/Tobacco Control Center, North Shore University Hospital, 225 Community Dr, South Entrance, Great Neck, NY 11021, (3) BioStatistics, North Shore-LIJ Health System, 225 Community Drive, South Entrance, Great Neck, NY 11021, (4) Research Institute, NS-LIJ Health System, 225 Community Drive, South Entrance, Great Neck, NY 11021, (5) Pulmonary Medicine /Tobacco Control, NS-LIJ Health System, 225 Community Drive, Great Neck, NY 11021

Purpose: Behavior modification is an effective adjunct in the successful treatment of tobacco dependence. We studied the impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) education on a cohort of patients undergoing smoking cessation.

Methodology: On day one of tobacco dependence program, participants’ were surveyed about subjective ‘readiness-to-quit’, scored on a scale of 1-10 (1=least ready, 10=most ready). Before their quit date, participants viewed an educational ETS presentation, followed by a questionnaire asking about: A) demographics of cohabitants B) quantification of new ETS information learned, with choices being ‘none’, ‘some’, or ‘a lot’ C) whether or not they smoke indoors D) would changes be made in indoor smoking habits based on the program, with choices being ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Quit status at one month abstinence was bio-chemically validated. Data was analyzed using SAS. Results: 208 smokers 37.5% male, 62.5% female, participated and 196 smoked indoors. 92% of indoor smokers, pledged to make subsequent changes in habits. There was a significant difference in the quit rates of those who reported learning ‘a lot’ about ETS (70.6% quit) vs. those reporting ‘none or some’ (50.0% quit) (p<0.005). There was no difference in the quit success of those who lived with children (69.9%) vs. those who did not (58.7%). Of 66 participants that did not quit, 94.3% pledged to change smoking habits. Clinical Implications: Smokers have limited knowledge about ETS exposure. Education about its impact on immediate family members is an important, motivating tool, which can be used to aid in the quitting process.

Learning Objectives:

• To have a better understanding of the impact ETS education has on smokers as a motivational tool during the quitting process

Keywords: Environmental Exposures, Tobacco Control

Related Web page: www.northshorelij.com/stopsmoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.