The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Almost half of all the tobacco consumed in the US is by people who have a mental health disorder. Smoking is also a major cause of premature death among people with mental illnesses. CHOICES (Consumers Helping Others Improve their Condition by Ending Smoking) is an innovative model that employs mental health peer counselors, called Consumer Tobacco Advocates, to communicate the important message to smokers with mental illness that addressing tobacco is important. This unique consumer-driven perspective can help to facilitate a different perspective for tobacco control within mental health systems that has not been previously tested. Goals include providing tailored information, increasing motivation to change and linking smokers to tobacco treatment. This program is replicable and can be used as a model for targeting smokers with mental illness in other states.

Methods: Two Consumer Tobacco Advocates received detailed training on tobacco addiction and mental illness, advocacy, and motivational feedback techniques. The Advocates serve as consultants to other consumers and agencies assisting with linkages to treatment, referrals, support and provision of educational materials. They reach out to smokers with mental illness through visits to mental health and self-help centers and health fairs. Advocates distribute education materials and try to engage smokers in a brief (20 min) individualized peer-to-peer feedback session about how much they spend on tobacco and their expired carbon monoxide level. We also update and provide a directory of treatment options within NJ and encourage smokers to sign up for our quarterly CHOICES newsletter.

Results: Pilot program is underway. Preliminary results will be discussed.