title: The Smoking Cessation Trust Program of Louisiana: The Pediatrician's Role in Identifying and Referring Eligible Caregivers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A pilot study was conducted to determine whether the caregivers of children being seen at the Ochsner for Children health center were eligible for and using services provided by the Smoking Cessation Trust (SCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of pediatric patients' caregivers who visit the Ochsner for Children health center. Caregivers were offered a questionnaire to assess their age, sex, relationship to the child, medical insurance, smoking status, and prior cessation attempts and aids. Data about 3 other caregivers were also requested from the visiting caregiver.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 84 caregivers assessed, 26 (30.95%) smoked, of whom 12 (46.15%) began smoking prior to 1988 and were eligible for SCT services. The cohort of eligible caregivers included 4 grandmothers (33.33%), 2 grandfathers (16.67%), and 3 fathers (25.00%). Smoking prevalence in our cohort was higher than the national average (31% vs 18%). During the previous 12 months, 3 of 12 (25.00%) SCT-eligible caregivers had tried to quit smoking. Four (33.33%) SCT-eligible caregivers were interested in smoking cessation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatricians are in a unique position to screen, counsel, and refer caregivers who smoke to the SCT.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Office of Biostatistical Support, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Allison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Charmanne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dezara
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kisely
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA ; Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Fernando A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Urrego
keywords: Pediatrics; Smoking Cessation Trust; smoking cessation; tobacco smoke pollution