Problem/Objective: La Crosse County Health Department's “Street Outreach Tobacco Control for 18-24 Year Olds” project targeted young adults who have attained a high school education or less and those not enrolled in traditional four year colleges. Of all the demographic groups that use tobacco, the 18-24 year old, low socioeconomic status, not in higher education demographic has the highest use rate but the lowest rate of use of cessation services.

Methods: Access points included a nicotine patch study, staff interventions to clients from community based organizations and businesses that employ a significant population of young adults, and the adoption of smoke-free voluntary policies at several local taverns and community based organizations.

Results: Twelve businesses employing 18-24 year olds received cessation interventions from LCHD. Forty-seven persons from the target group from six community-based organizations also receive educational and cessation information, significantly increasing their knowledge in the options available for cessation services and financial support. Use of the Quit Line by the target group increased 76% during the grant period. Six businesses and events were targeted for smoke-free policies. Also, 31 participants completed the nicotine patch study.

Conclusions: Those receiving the free patches were significantly more likely to quit or reduce their smoking level than those in the control group. Since chances of long-term cessation are low by quitting cold turkey, it is important to inform this target audience about other resources for cessation, including workplace programs, the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line, and cost-reduction programs for nicotine patches.