A national survey of tobacco cessation programs for youths.
OBJECTIVE
We collected data on a national sample of existing community-based tobacco cessation programs for youths to understand their prevalence and overall characteristics.


METHODS
We employed a 2-stage sampling design with US counties as the first-stage probability sampling units. We then used snowball sampling in selected counties to identify administrators of tobacco cessation programs for youths. We collected data on cessation programs when programs were identified.


RESULTS
We profiled 591 programs in 408 counties. Programs were more numerous in urban counties; fewer programs were found in low-income counties. State-level measures of smoking prevalence and tobacco control expenditures were not associated with program availability. Most programs were multisession, school-based group programs serving 50 or fewer youths per year. Program content included cognitive-behavioral components found in adult programs along with content specific to adolescence. The median annual budget was 2000 dollars. Few programs (9%) reported only mandatory enrollment, 35% reported mixed mandatory and voluntary enrollment, and 56% reported only voluntary enrollment.


CONCLUSIONS
There is considerable homogeneity among community-based tobacco cessation programs for youths. Programs are least prevalent in the types of communities for which national data show increases in youths' smoking prevalence.
Curry
Susan J
SJ
Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA. suecurry@uic.edu
Emery
Sherry
S
Sporer
Amy K
AK
Mermelstein
Robin
R
Flay
Brian R
BR
Berbaum
Michael
M
Warnecke
Richard B
RB
Johnson
Timothy
T
Mowery
Paul
P
Parsons
Jennifer
J
Harmon
Lori
L
Hund
Lisa
L
Wells
Henry
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002017:Budgets; D002648:Child; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D008297:Male; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012572:School Health Services; D013383:Suburban Population; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population