title: Program, policy, and price interventions for tobacco control: quantifying the return on investment of a state tobacco control program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined health effects associated with 3 tobacco control interventions in Washington State: a comprehensive state program, a state policy banning smoking in public places, and price increases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used linear regression models to predict changes in smoking prevalence and specific tobacco-related health conditions associated with the interventions. We estimated dollars saved over 10 years (2000-2009) by the value of hospitalizations prevented, discounting for national trends.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smoking declines in the state exceeded declines in the nation. Of the interventions, the state program had the most consistent and largest effect on trends for heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Over 10 years, implementation of the program was associated with prevention of nearly 36,000 hospitalizations, at a value of about $1.5 billion. The return on investment for the state program was more than $5 to $1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined program, policy, and price interventions resulted in reductions in smoking and related health effects, while saving money. Public health and other leaders should continue to invest in tobacco control, including comprehensive programs.
authors.affiliation: Program Design and Evaluation Services, Multnomah County Health Department and Oregon Health Authority, Portland, OR 97232, USA. julia.dilley@state.or.us
authors.forename: Julia A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dilley
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Boysun
authors.forename: Terry R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013660:Taxes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution