Learning Objectives: Identify one inaccurate belief about Oregon Tobacco Quit Line services among low-SES Oregonians
Abstract: Objectives: Smoking prevalence is high among people of low socioeconomic status (SES) and this population therefore represents an important target for tobacco control programs. Our objectives were to (1)describe smokers’ beliefs about an existing statewide telephone quitline and their perceptions of the motivational value of potential anti-tobacco media messages, and (2)assess differences by SES.
Methods: We selected smokers aged 25-64 years considering quitting from an ongoing, statewide, random-digit-dialed survey of behavioral risk factors in Oregon. We intend to interview 400 using a structured telephone questionnaire. Results reported are based on the first 200 respondents.
Results: Almost half of respondents (44%) knew of the quitline, but only 7% had called it. Respondents, particularly if low SES, had inaccurate beliefs about the quitline. For example, many low SES (60%) and higher SES (44%) respondents thought quitline services were fee-based (p=.04). Overall, the media messages most commonly reported as motivating were: “If you quit smoking, you’d have an extra thousand dollars a year to spend” (89%); “Smoking-related diseases, like heart disease and emphysema, start sooner than you think” (84%); “Secondhand smoke is dangerous to the health of children around you” (81%); “Your family would suffer if you were to get sick or die because of your smoking” (81%); and “We understand how hard it is to quit, and the Oregon Tobacco Quit Line is here to help you” (76%). Significantly more low SES respondents found the last message motivating (84% vs. 68%, p=.009).
Conclusion: SES should be considered when developing anti-tobacco media messages.
Back to Poster Session
Back to Evaluation and Surveillance
Back to The 2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (December 10-12, 2003)