Quit and Win campaigns as a long-term anti-smoking intervention in North Karelia and other parts of Finland.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate Quit and Win campaigns repeated in North Karelia and rest of Finland.


METHODS
Repeated comparisons of participation rates, abstinence rates, and other measures between North Karelia and the rest of Finland.


METHODS
Adult daily smokers in Finland participating in the Quit and Win contests in 1986-1997.


METHODS
Quit and Win smoking cessation campaigns targeted at adult daily smokers throughout Finland in 1986, 1989, 1994, 1996, and 1997, including more intensive activities in North Karelia.


METHODS
Participation rates, self reported six-month abstinence rates, other effectiveness measures (% of smokers who attended, intended, tried, and succeeded in cessation).


RESULTS
North Karelia's participation rates were significantly higher in each campaign compared with the rest of Finland. The abstinence rates in North Karelia were also higher, the difference being significant in 1986 and 1994 (p < 0.05). In the target population in 1996 over 75% of smokers in North Karelia, compared with 40% of smokers surveyed elsewhere, reported awareness of the campaign (p < 0.001). Approximately 9% of the smokers in North Karelia and 6% elsewhere intended to participate (p = NS). Over 2% in North Karelia, compared with less than 1% elsewhere, tried to quit (p < 0.001). Among the targeted group, 0.3% of North Karelian smokers were complete abstainers throughout the 12 months of follow up, compared with an average of 0.1% in other areas (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The Quit and Win campaign is a feasible cessation method in long-term community-wide programmes. Intensified community activities are associated with higher success. In repeat campaigns, high participation and abstinence rates can be maintained.
Korhonen
T
T
National Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Helsinki, Finland. tellervo.korhonen@ktl.fi
Urjanheimo
E L
EL
Mannonen
P
P
Korhonen
H J
HJ
Uutela
A
A
Puska
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013997:Time Factors