1. Smoking Cessation Campaign - Quit and Win Ghana

Edith Koryo Wellington Senior Research Officer Ghana Health Service

2. Quit and Win Smoking Cessation Campaign

Quit & Win International smoking cessation program, designed to encourage people to stop smoking with the aid of a positive incentive. Conducted in year 2002 Quit and Win Ghana was done in the Greater Accra Region, one of the ten regions in Ghana Partnership with WHO, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki-Finland

3. 

Media launching of Quit and Win Ghana 2002 Smoking Cessation Campaign in Ghana

4. Objectives

To recruit and motivate a large number of smokers to make a joint and sustained effort to stop smoking over a specified quit period (2 to 28 May). To increase public awareness of the dangers of smoking To promote smoke-free lifestyles and environments Assess abstinence rates (one year after) Assess the effectiveness of Quit & Win 2002

5. Methodology

Quit & Win 2002 Ghana campaign recruited current smokers of at least 18 years with at least a year's history of tobacco usage prior to the quit date. It required that each participant provided a witness to testify as to the eligibility and smoking history of the participant. All the participants were required to register by filling the official Quit & Win entry form Counseling sessions were held for quitters. The biochemical urine test, NicCheck, was used to validate the abstinence claims made by the participants.

6. Recruiting and Registration of smokers for the Quit and Win Ghana campaign

7. Counseling Sessions held for Quitters

During the abstinence period of the campaign, counselling support sessions were organized for the participants Three group counseling sessions were organized A clinical psychologist lead the sessions They shared testimonies and experiences, how they were coping with what methods or strategies they were using

8. Counseling Sessions held for Quitters

Counseling support sessions were organized to equip participants with the requisite self-help and coping skills for assertiveness, relaxation training and avoiding risk behavior. Topics discussed during the counselling sessions were: ‘Dangers of Tobacco; Understanding Your Addiction; Abstinence without Tears; Staying Healthy and Tobacco Free’.

9. Results of the Campaign

1,020 of current smokers were recruited and registered within two weeks. Campaign received a lot of media attention which raised public awareness of the dangers of smoking and effective abstinence strategies These were in the form of: Radio and TV discussion with call ins Press articles Ads in the print media

10. Winners of Quit and Win Ghana

A draw was held and fifteen participants were selected as winners A press conference was held to announce the winners The first prize was 5 million cedis (about $600) Second Prize -3 million cedis (about $300) Third Prize – 1 million cedis (about $100) There were 10 consolation prizes First prize winner was entered for the International Quit and Win draw

11. One Year follow-up

A follow-up survey was conducted after one year (2003). Respondents were a sample of smokers who participated in the Quit and Win 2002 434 current smokers who registered for the 2002 Quit & Win were interviewed

13. Key Findings: One Year follow-up survey

58.1% (252) were attracted into the contest because they desire to stop smoking completely 28.6% (124) participated because of the awards 10.10% (44) used contest as a tool to help them abstain from smoking for a month 3.3% (14) aimed to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke

15. Key Findings

20% have not smoked in the year after the quit and win campaign. 54% said the contest helped them stop smoking in May

17. Key Findings

70.7% (307) did not use any means to help them quit smoking 19.8% (86) used candy 5.8% (25) sheer determination 3% (13) used nicotine chewing gum

19. Did contest help you to try to quit smoking?

It helped importantly 54.1% (235) It helped a little 36.6% (159) It did not help at all 7.4% (32) Unable to tell 8/ 1.8%

21. Conclusion

Ghana Quit and Win campaign used innovative communication methods, partnership, community organization and health service involvement which brought about a cessation rate of 20% which is comparable to what has proven to be applicable in different cultures all over the world. The Quit & Win 2002 Ghana campaign was successful because it received a lot of media and public attention, which raised public awareness of the dangers of smoking and effective abstinence strategies. Study shown that smokers want to quit. Therefore, the Ghana Health Service must develop smoking cessation strategies to support smokers who want to quit. Social intervention to create an environment that motivates, supports and facilitates smokers’ intention to quit.