UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: Reduction/cessation of use of cigarettes among staff and visitors to the Police Station. The strategies were to create awareness about the strategies the Tobacco Industry uses to keep them continuously smoking, Help them understand the immediate and long term repercussions of smoking, Create and environment that discouraged smoking and Initiate a process which continues even after the project is completed.

Methods: Group discussions with selected staff were held monthly. Discussions were conducted to make the smoker feel that he/she is part of the team and not a target. Entry was how they could improve/optimize their health status and how the working environment affected it. We addressed: structural factors that influenced their life; how tobacco: impaired their happiness, joy interests and their family life, affected their economy, industry targeted them and their children, and early consequences such as change in appearance from pleasant to unpleasant, delayed effects like impotence, lung cancer. Participatory methods focus group discussions, role-plays, field visits, audio & video training material used.

Results: .They actively participated to the programmes and fieldwork out of 80% of smokers from the staff (males) 12% stopped smoking, the remaining reduced smoking in number & frequency. Smoking is not seen as a glamorous habit among the group. Number of Police men smoking in public was reduced by 95%. They started to counteract the promotions of the Tobacco Industry. Their savings increased and quality of life improved. Interest and efficiency in work increased. Number of leave days reduced.