Utah Case Study
Article Highlights
- Study Title
- Utah Case Study
The rise in youth tobacco-use caused concern for Utah and its communities. To combat this issue, Utah developed classes to help youths lead healthier lives and become tobacco-free. However, Utah realized that there was a problem with the classes. Free & Clear's expertise and willingness to tailor a youth tobacco quit line provided all of the amenities needed to service every youth in the state of Utah.
Problem
The state of Utah understood the importance of providing tobacco cessation services to its youth population. Youths not only deal with the addiction of tobacco but the legal ramifications of using tobacco products. In order to help youths become tobacco-free, Utah developed tobacco cessation classes. These classes were successful but Utah realized that they had two problems. (1) Not all youths had access to the classes, especially those living in rural areas. (2) Although Utah had an adult toll-free quit line, Utah did not have a toll-free youth quit line.
Solution
To solve Utah's problems, Free & Clear utilized their clinically proven research as the basis for tailoring a toll-free youth tobacco quit line. To ensure quality service, Free & Clear conducted several focus groups with youth and researched existing tobacco cessation materials. The quit line consisted of the following:
- A confidential 1-call or multiple-call intervention based the youth's readiness to quit
- Unlimited access to Free & Clear's tobacco treatment specialists who are knowledgeable and sensitive to diverse religious and cultural aspects
- Referral to local support groups or classes
- Ability to provide information to parents wanting to help their children quit tobacco
- Services available in multiple languages
Free & Clear ensured that the youth quit line was not alienated from the rest of Utah's existing tobacco cessation services and helped develop successful media campaigns.
Benefit
The Free & Clear youth tobacco quit line proved to be what Utah needed. All youths from the state now have access to the quit line and its evidence-based tobacco treatment program. Since the implementation of the youth quit line, Free & Clear has helped more than 2,348 youths take one step closer to a tobacco-free life.