The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Tobacco has disproportionately deleterious effects on island communities. Guam, Puerto Rico (PR) and Hawaii are examples of those effects. Guam boasts the highest adult smoking rate of United States (34%, 2003). Even though PR's smoking rate is 13.6% (2003), three of its four leading causes of death are associated with smoking; native Hawaiians smoke more than other ethnic groups (26%, 2003). Lately, each island has worked independently using collaborative efforts to advance tobacco control. This session will report on the efforts, successes, and challenges.

Methods: Guam, PR and Hawaii were provided funding by the MI/Cancer Center Partnership Program to tobacco control research on their islands. Cross-agency collaboration was an essential element of the research activity. Guam focused on partnering with community members and health care professionals to develop goals for cessation and policy. Researchers in PR focused on creating a network among key leaders from health and community-based organizations interested in developing an Outreach Agenda for Smoking Cessation and increase Quitline utilization. Hawaii developed a coalition and statewide media campaign.

Results: Advances in tobacco control in PR include stronger smoke free policies in workplaces and creation of a tobacco coalition that work in partnership with health professionals, researchers and educators. Hawaii and Guam passed legislation to ban smoking in restaurant and Guam developed a community driven research agenda. More smoking cessation programs and education on the effects of tobacco use were requested. Collaboration between these two U.S. territories and Hawaii has proven to be feasible for future research.