title: Media campaign effectiveness in promoting a smoking-cessation program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the perceived barriers among smokers who do not utilize phone-based, population-level smoking-cessation services.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to improve understanding of a media campaign's impact in promoting a phone-based, time-limited smoking-cessation program as measured by smoker awareness of the program, untapped interest in the program, perceived barriers to use of the program, and suggested methods for enhanced outreach.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random telephone survey of New York City smokers (n=1000) was conducted in 2006 in order to assess awareness of, interest in, and barriers to using the 2006 Nicotine Patch Program. Analyses were conducted in 2006 and 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of program awareness was high (60% overall), although it varied by demographic subgroup. The level of program interest among smokers unaware of the program was also encouragingly high (54%). Analysis of barriers to program use indicates that enrollment may be increased by addressing hesitance about using patches, developing messages for smokers who do not self-identify as smokers, and clarifying application procedures. Specific outreach strategies suggested by smokers include promotion through direct mail and advertising on public transportation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the use of mass media is an effective method for informing smokers about cessation services and that enrollment could be improved by modifying public messages to address barriers as well as expanding outreach to specific demographic groups. Improved outreach to smokers may be feasible using the strategies suggested by smokers in this survey. These findings can aid smoking-cessation services in expanding their reach and impact.
authors.affiliation: Bureau of Tobacco Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, USA. kdavis@health.nyc.gov
authors.forename: Karen Davis
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Czarnecki
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Vichinsky
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Perl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult