The DC Tobacco Free Families Campaign (DCTFF), a partnership of the American Lung Association of DC, the DC Department of Health, and the American Cancer Society, has significantly increased awareness of the dangers of tobacco use to DC smokers, according to a recent report.

As part of its evidenced-based approach, DCTFF offers free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and counseling, and has also trained more than 500 DC health care providers to offer the same services to medically under-served and uninsured DC residents. DCTFF’s primary goal is to eliminate tobacco-related health disparities and the resultant health care costs incurred by DC residents.

According to the report, conducted by  local health research and evaluation firm, AFYA, Inc, DCTFF has successfully implemented a multi-media counter-marketing campaign designed to encourage DC smokers to call the Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, and a youth-based prevention component. The media campaign was promoted by celebrities such as NFL Hall of Famer Darrell Green, Caron Butler of the Washington Wizards, and Nakia Sanford of the Washington Mystics.

DCTFF’s guerrilla marketing and its grassroots approach, has included partnerships with over 50 community organizations, which provide services to the DCTFF priority populations— the Medicaid and medically underserved youth, African Americans, Latinos, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LBGT).  The venues have included health care facilities, community sites, and school and higher education campuses.

Because of the campaign’s grassroots approach to helping DC smokers quit, Quitline calls from smokers have increased more than 500 percent since 2006, while calls from family and friends rose 100 percent.

Tobacco use is linked to serious public health and economic costs in the District. It kills approximately 720 smokers and 70-120 nonsmokers in DC each year. As of 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that annual health care costs in DC directly caused by smoking total $243 million, including $78 million in Medicaid expenses.

To download the Mid-Term Report of the DC Tobacco Free Families Campaign, click on the picture icon above.