title: Perceptions of smoking cessation programs in rural Appalachia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify perspectives on smoking cessation programs in Appalachian Kentucky, a region with particularly high smoking rates and poor health outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Insufficient existing research led us to conduct 12 focus groups (smokers and nonsmokers) and 23  key informant interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several findings previously not described in this high-risk population include (1) transition from pro-tobacco culture toward advocacy for tobacco cessation approaches, (2) region-specific challenges to program access, and (3) strong and diverse social  influences on cessation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To capitalize on changes from resistance to support for smoking cessation, leaders should incorporate culturally appropriate programs and characteristics identified here.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Health Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA. tina.kruger@indstate.edu
authors.forename: Tina M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: Britteny M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haney
authors.forename: Rian E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Nell
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Schoenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001061:Appalachian Region; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016730:Program Development; D012424:Rural Population; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult