title: Preventing smoking initiation or relapse following 8.5 weeks of involuntary smoking abstinence in basic military training: trial design, interventions, and baseline data.
abstract: Smoking cessation is a primary method of reducing excess mortality and morbidity. Unfortunately, the vast majority of cessation attempts end in eventual relapse. Relapse-prevention interventions have shown some success at improving the long-term maintenance of tobacco abstinence among individuals motivated to abstain. However, involuntary tobacco abstinence (e.g., military training, hospitalization, incarceration) presents another opportunity for intervention to prevent relapse. During basic military training (BMT), tobacco use is strictly forbidden in all service branches, but tobacco relapse (and initiation) following BMT is extremely high. This paper reports on the design, intervention development, and baseline characteristics of a randomized controlled trial testing minimal interventions designed to prevent tobacco relapse among United States Air Force (USAF) personnel following BMT. Participants are randomized by squadron to receive either a standard smoking-cessation booklet, a new motivation-based booklet designed specifically for USAF personal, or the latter booklet combined with a brief, face-to-face motivational session. Primary outcomes will be self-reported tobacco use at 12 and 24month follow-up. Given that the Department of Defense is the world's largest employer, the potential of leveraging involuntary tobacco abstinence during BMT into extended abstinence has substantial public health significance.
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Research & Intervention Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33617, United States. Electronic address: Thomas.brandon@moffitt.org.
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Brandon
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 North Pauline, Suite 633, Memphis, TN 38105, United States. Electronic address: rklesges@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Klesges
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Nicotine Dependence Center, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States. Electronic address: Ebbert.Jon@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Jon O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Ebbert
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 59MDW/SGOWMP/2200, Bergquist Dr., STE 1, Lackland AFB, TX 78236, United States. Electronic address: wtalcott@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Gerald W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Talcott
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 North Pauline, Suite 633, Memphis, TN 38105, United States. Electronic address: fthomas@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Fridtjof
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 59MDW/SGOWMP/2200, Bergquist Dr., STE 1, Lackland AFB, TX 78236, United States. Electronic address: kleroy1@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 North Pauline, Suite 633, Memphis, TN 38105, United States. Electronic address: prichey@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Phyllis A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Richey
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 59MDW/SGOWMP/2200, Bergquist Dr., STE 1, Lackland AFB, TX 78236, United States. Electronic address: lcolvin1@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Colvin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009042:Motivation; D012008:Recurrence; D012107:Research Design; D057566:Self Report; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Military; Randomized controlled trial; Relapse-prevention; Smoking; Smoking cessation intervention; Tobacco