Assessment and Evaluation
July 2007
The Washington Tobacco Prevention and Control
Program uses a comprehensive approach to reducing disease and death caused
by tobacco use. The Tobacco Program set a goal to prevent about
84,000 early deaths by 2010, and provide longer, healthier, and more
productive lives for Washington residents. To make sure the program
is making progress toward that goal, it developed more immediate ways to
measure the effectiveness of its efforts.
Surveying tobacco users
and kids
The most important early indication of success is the reduction
in rates of tobacco use among youth and adults.
Adult tobacco use is measured using a telephone
survey of Washington residents that asks a variety of health questions.
Washington’s program is expected to reduce the proportion of adult
cigarette smokers about 3 percent per year, from 22.4 percent just
before the program began to 16.5 percent or less in 2010.
Tobacco use among youth is measured with a
school-based questionnaire administered to 6th-, 8th-,
10th-, and 12th-grade students every two years.
Improving Tobacco Program performance through
evaluation
Changes in attitudes about tobacco use are early indicators
that Tobacco Program efforts are working. For example, programs in
schools increase student disapproval of tobacco use; stop smoking programs
increase the proportion of tobacco users who quit; community programs
change community acceptance of tobacco use; and public education campaigns
create changes in perceptions about tobacco. Frequent, ongoing evaluations
of each program component monitor performance and allow the Tobacco
Program to adjust its activities for maximum effectiveness.
Ongoing validation by outside experts
Researchers from the University of Washington, Washington State
University, Washington State Department of Health, other state tobacco
control programs, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
provide consultation and review for evaluation activities.
A comprehensive approach to fighting tobacco use
Research shows that state tobacco prevention programs must be
broad-based and comprehensive to be effective. In addition to
conducting ongoing assessment and evaluation, Washington’s Tobacco
Prevention and Control Program supports programs in communities and
schools, conducts public awareness and media campaigns, encourages
smoke-free environments, provides services to help people quit, and
restricts the ability of kids to get tobacco. |
