Evaluation of EX: a national mass media smoking cessation campaign

Am J Public Health. 2011 Feb;101(2):302-9. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.190454. Epub 2010 Dec 16.

Abstract

Objectives: We used longitudinal data to examine the relationship between confirmed awareness of a national, branded, mass media smoking cessation campaign and cessation outcomes.

Methods: We surveyed adult smokers (n = 4067) in 8 designated market areas ("media markets") at baseline and again approximately 6 months later. We used multivariable models to examine campaign effects on cognitions about quitting, quit attempts, and 30-day abstinence.

Results: Respondents who demonstrated confirmed awareness of the EX campaign were significantly more likely to increase their level of agreement on a cessation-related cognitions index from baseline to follow-up (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; P = .046). Individuals with confirmed campaign awareness had a 24% greater chance than did those who were not aware of the campaign of making a quit attempt between baseline and follow-up (OR = 1.24; P = .048).

Conclusions: A national, branded, mass media smoking cessation campaign can change smokers' cognitions about quitting and increase quit attempts. We strongly recommend that federal and state governments provide funding for media campaigns to increase smoking cessation, particularly for campaigns that have been shown to impact quit attempts and abstinence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Advertising / methods*
  • Advertising / statistics & numerical data
  • Age Factors
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Media / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Smoking Cessation / statistics & numerical data
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Young Adult