Problem/Objective: Tobacco use prevalence among persons of low socioeconomic status (SES) continues to be higher than the national average of 20% for all adults. Specific subpopulations of low SES including the incarcerated, individuals in substance abuse treatment and the homeless experience prevalence rates of 80-90%, yet few cessation programs are tailored specifically for these populations.

Methods: The National Network on Tobacco Prevention and Poverty, developed a series of cessation curricula specifically designed for use in prisons, jails, transitional living facilities and rescue missions. The cessation strategies employed with these populations differ from traditional cessation programs in that they are taught in a community setting by lay facilitators and are completed in only one or two sessions.

Results: Prisons, jails, transitional living facilities and rescue missions are nontraditional settings for tobacco cessation interventions. The majority of these facilities are interested in providing cessation support, but lack appropriate materials and resources. The curricula developed for use in these facilities has been met with widespread acceptance among staff at these facilities and has complimented facility tobacco use policies.

Conclusions: Tobacco cessation strategies for low SES populations must be tailored. Some long standing and traditional cessation programs may not be successful in settings that serve low SES populations. Cessation interventions in these settings must be simplified, shortened and able to be facilitated by lay staff and volunteers. In addition, policies that limit/prohibit tobacco use in these settings should be coupled with cessation services in order to reduce tobacco use prevalence among low SES populations.