What's New | September 28, 2011

Smoking Cessation Programs

Despite progress in reducing tobacco use, in 2010 nearly one in five adults smoked cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Treatments such as counseling and use of medications can be effective, but many tobacco users lack awareness of or access to smoking cessation resources, especially among low-income and underserved individuals.

The featured Innovations describe two programs that led to increased use of smoking cessation resources and higher quit rates.

The featured QualityTools provide practical approaches for treating tobacco dependence in the clinical setting and for achieving tobacco-free hospitals and health systems.

Featured Innovations:

• Culturally Appropriate, Interactive Decision Aid Yields High Quit Rates Among Underserved, Low-Literacy Latino and Hispanic Smokers

• Tobacco Cessation “Quitline” Staff Proactively Call Patients Referred by Trained Providers, Leading to Greater Satisfaction With Services and Higher Quit Rates

Featured QualityTools:

• Destination Tobacco-Free: A Practical Tool for Hospitals and Health Systems
Developed by Washington Health Foundation’s Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign

• Tobacco-Dependence Treatment Toolkit
Developed by American College of Chest Physicians

AHRQ Innovations Exchange Smoking Cessation Programs