Tobacco Control in California: Who's Winning the War?: An Evaluation of the Tobacco Control Program, 1989-1996

Programs and policies to discourage the use of tobacco products

“…Other states have also used funds from the MSA to finance tobacco education campaigns. Evidence in support of the effectiveness of paid counter-advertising campaigns is found in the sharp declines in cigarette consumption observed in states that have invested heavily (in contrast to those that have not) in paid counter-advertising campaigns (see Figure 4; Harris et al, 1997;Pierce et al, 1998;Siegel and Biener, 2000;Fichtenberg and Glantz, 2000;US DHHS, 2000).…”

Tobacco Cessation in Primary Care: Beyond Just Quitting

“…This offers a positive model for children and increases the likelihood that the children will refrain from smoking in the future. 7 One effective step toward cessation is for smokers to move outside to smoke. 7 In addition to being a burden to step outside, it changes the act of smoking from a reflex to a conscious decision and reinforces the notion that smoking is not socially acceptable.…”

“…7 One effective step toward cessation is for smokers to move outside to smoke. 7 In addition to being a burden to step outside, it changes the act of smoking from a reflex to a conscious decision and reinforces the notion that smoking is not socially acceptable. All of these factors can help a smoker decide to stop smoking and reduce consumption as the smoker may forego smoking some cigarettes.…”

“…Reduced tobacco consumption is a predictor of a successful quit attempt 7 and decreases the risk of tobacco-related disease because tobacco-related disease is dose dependent. 4,5 A decline in cigarette consumption in California alone between 1989 and 1997 was associated with 59,000 fewer coronary heart deaths.…”

“…8 This finding is based on a decline in tobacco consumption among smokers and not merely a reduction in the total number of smokers in California. If a patient is a smoker but is not prepared to quit, the provider should advise him/her to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked and explain that this will aid in future quit attempts, 7 as the transition from light smoker to nonsmoker is easier than from smoker to nonsmoker.…”