DSHS Cessation:
Helping Texans Quit
Barry Sharp, MSHP, CHES
Tobacco Prevention & Control Program
Texas Department of State Health Services
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DSHS Cessation:
Helping Texans Quit
Today’s Discussion:
Texas Tobacco Quitline
Priority Populations
State Worksite Initiatives
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Quitlines 101
What are quitlines?
According to the North American Quitline Consortium:
Quitlines are telephone-based tobacco cessation services that
help tobacco users quit. Services offered by quitlines include
coaching and counseling, referrals, mailed materials, training to
healthcare providers, Web-based services and, in some
instances, free medications such as nicotine replacement therapy
(NRT).
Much research shows that quitlines are highly effective in helping
tobacco users quit. Due to their ability to reach and serve
tobacco users, regardless of location, quitlines have quickly
spread across North American. Today, residents in all 50 states,
the District of Columbia, each U.S. territory and all ten Canadian
provinces have access to public quitline services.
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Texas Tobacco Quitline
Began in 1999 as pilot project for the
American Cancer Society; Free & Clear took
over in 2010.
Free counseling statewide
Free information resources statewide
Free nicotine replacement therapy in selected
areas
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Texas Tobacco Quitline
Monthly Call Volume 2007-2010
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2007 2008 2009 2010
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Percent of Callers by
Government Employment
2.50%
2.00%
1.50%
1.00%
0.50%
0.00%
2008 2009
City Government County Government
Health Districts Independent School Districts
State Government
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Who calls Texas Quitline
84% are tobacco users
3% each are proxy and providers
10% are general public
58% are female, 42% are male
21% are Hispanic
Race:
64% White, 16% Black, 2% American Indian
<1% Asians, Arab, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
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Who calls Texas Quitline
Tobacco Product of Choice
92% cigarettes
4% cigars
3% smokeless
Stages of Change
90% are in preparation to quit
7% are ready to take action to quit or set quit date
3% are contemplation or pre-contemplation
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DSHS Priority Populations
Six Comprehensive Coalitions Targeted Cessation
Funded: Metropolitan Statistical Areas:
Lubbock-Cooper ISD Beaumont-Port Arthur: Hardin,
Ector County Health Jefferson and Orange
Department Counties
Northeast Texas Public Health College Station-Bryan: Brazos,
District Burleson and Robertson
Fort Bend County Health Counties
Department Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood:
Austin/Travis County Health Bell, Coryell and Lampasas
Department Counties
San Antonio Metropolitan Lufkin-Nacogdoches: Angelina
Health District and Nacogdoches Counties
Texarkana: Bowie County
Waco: McLennan County
All State Employees, Retirees
and their dependents
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Boots on the Ground Support
Average Calls Per Month Per County
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15.51 16.01
15
10
5.49
5
0.83 1.02
1.24 1.32 1.26 1.36
0
2008 2009 2010
TPCC Coalitions Media Only No Interventions
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So What Does This Mean?
Boots on the Ground support creates a
synergistic effect by changing the
environment and social norms for the
community. This change increases the
willingness of tobacco users to change
behaviors, thus resulting in additional calls to
the quitline.
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Where to find help:
DSHS Regional Tobacco Coordinators
Region 1: Sherri Scott, Amarillo
Region 2/3: Sandra Cobb, Arlington
Region 4/5N: Lana Herriman & Dreka Strickland, Tyler
Region 6/5S: Debbie Melecio, Houston
Region 7: Cindy deSa, Temple
Region 8: Rick Meza, San Antonio
Region 9/10: Becky Zima, El Paso
Region 11: Berta Cavazos, Harlingen
Email: FirstName.LastName@dshs.state.tx.us
Website: www.dshs.state.tx.us/tobacco
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Where to find help:
Texas Prevention Resource Centers, Tobacco
Education Specialists:
Region 1: Lola Coppage, Lubbock
Region 2: Lekeshia White, Abilene
Region 3: Natalie Buxton, Dallas
Region 4: Ralph Terzolo, Longview
Region 5: Linda Smith, Lufkin
Region 6: Steve Haynes, Houston
Region 7: Mona Carroll, Bryan
Region 8: J. Anthony Garcia, San Antonio
Region 9: Michelle Masoud, Odessa
Region 10: Victor Parra, El Paso
Region 11: Jose Marte Garza, Pharr
http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/prc/index.shtml
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Thank you for your time and participation in
today’s presentation. Please feel free to
contact for more information or assistance.
Barry Sharp, MSHP, CHES
Program Coordinator
Tobacco Prevention & Control Program
Barry.Sharp@dshs.state.tx.us
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