Tobacco use in Alabama has rapidly risen throughout the state, specifically within rural, low-income communities. The Wellness Coalition has partnered with the Alabama Department of Public Health to coordinate tobacco cessation efforts for community members across Montgomery county and surrounding areas.

During the programmatic year, we have engaged with community members by conducting initiatives to educate community members and mitigate the effects of tobacco within our target demographics. By mailing surveys, gathering success stories, creating tobacco-free policies and establishing the Tobacco Task Force, we have been working to help create healthier, tobacco-free spaces in different locations within Montgomery for the community members that we serve.

“Tobacco use plagues communities across Alabama, especially in rural areas,” said Samuel Duff, tobacco program community liaison. “For many rural residents, the financial impact is great, but tobacco use can have an even greater cost: a person’s life. We want residents to know that there is freedom: Freedom from smoking. Freedom from vaping. Freedom from dipping. Freedom from tobacco.”

Memorandums of Understanding

During this programmatic year, we have developed numerous MOUs with businesses and organizations who decided to adopt tobacco-free practices, including:

We initiated tobacco-free policies with Patricia’s Boutique, House of Greek in Montgomery, and Montgomery Realty. Both Patricia’s Boutique and House of Greek owners embraced the concept to curb tobacco use.

Engagement & Outreach

For the 2021-22 programmatic year, we attended over 60 outreach/engagement events. Outreach activities include canvassing neighborhoods, attending webinars and seminars via Zoom, hosting events, conducting surveys, and speaking with public officials.

Challenges

One challenge was the reluctance of apartment complexes and businesses to adopt smoke-free policies. Many believed such policies would “infringe upon tenant and customer rights.” Even after explaining the cost-effectiveness of a tobacco-free policy, and that smoking in public spaces is not a right, business owners and property managers were reluctant to become tobacco-free.

Completed Objectives

  • Obtained current smoke-free/ tobacco-free policies for all hospitals, colleges, and universities in Montgomery
  • Developed and maintained a list of community leaders (influencers respected in the community such as police, fire chief, elected officials, Chamber of Commerce members, pastors, principals, doctors, business owners, bankers, neighborhood leaders)
  • Created a list of smoking and non-smoking establishments in Montgomery and created potential partnerships
  • Participated in The Coalition for a Tobacco-free Alabama meetings; created the Smoke-Free Montgomery Task Force, a coalition that includes churches, healthcare organizations, community leaders, and business leaders
  • Collected 542 responses to the LungLovers survey
  • Letter of support that includes the role of this proposed project in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Public Health

Data Collection & Evaluation

This report summarizes the 542 LungLovers surveys completed between December 2021 and September 2022. Survey participants were reached through social media, a direct mail campaign, and a text message campaign.

Memorandums of Understanding

During this programmatic year, we have developed numerous MOUs with businesses and organizations who decided to adopt tobacco-free practices, including:

We initiated tobacco-free policies with Patricia’s Boutique, House of Greek in Montgomery, and Montgomery Realty. Both Patricia’s Boutique and House of Greek owners embraced the concept to curb tobacco use.

Engagement & Outreach

For the 2021-22 programmatic year, we attended over 60 outreach/engagement events. Outreach activities include canvassing neighborhoods, attending webinars and seminars via Zoom, hosting events, conducting surveys, and speaking with public officials.

Patricia Thomas, Owner, Patricia’s Boutique:

My reason for wanting to educate the community concerning the health hazards of using tobacco products is very personal. My uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away at age 44. My brother was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed about eight months after the treatments at age 59. My aunt was diagnosed with emphysema, and later lung cancer, and passed as well. I have been told by numerous individuals that they would stop smoking if they could afford the patches. I believe The Wellness Coalition’s resources will help many families live a better quality of life and save many lives.

Challenges

One challenge was the reluctance of apartment complexes and businesses to adopt smoke-free policies. Many believed such policies would “infringe upon tenant and customer rights.” Even after explaining the cost-effectiveness of a tobacco-free policy, and that smoking in public spaces is not a right, business owners and property managers were reluctant to become tobacco-free.

Completed Objectives

  • Obtained current smoke-free/ tobacco-free policies for all hospitals, colleges, and universities in Montgomery
  • Developed and maintained a list of community leaders (influencers respected in the community such as police, fire chief, elected officials, Chamber of Commerce members, pastors, principals, doctors, business owners, bankers, neighborhood leaders)
  • Created a list of smoking and non-smoking establishments in Montgomery and created potential partnerships
  • Participated in The Coalition for a Tobacco-free Alabama meetings; created the Smoke-Free Montgomery Task Force, a coalition that includes churches, healthcare organizations, community leaders, and business leaders
  • Collected 542 responses to the LungLovers survey
  • Letter of support that includes the role of this proposed project in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Public Health

Data Collection & Evaluation

This report summarizes the 542 LungLovers surveys completed between December 2021 and September 2022. Survey participants were reached through social media, a direct mail campaign, and a text message campaign.

Data Collection & Evaluation

This report summarizes the 542 LungLovers surveys completed between December 2021 and September 2022. Survey participants were reached through social media, a direct mail campaign, and a text message campaign.

Demographics:

  • More than seven out of ten respondents are female (70.9%).
  • Close to one‐half (45.6%) of the respondents are 55 years of age or older.
  • More than three‐fourths (77.8%) of respondents are African American.

Assessment:

  • Nearly one‐half (47.2%) of respondents said they had current or prior experience with smoking.
  • Sixteen percent (15.9%) of respondents indicated they currently smoke, while close to one‐fourth (23.2%) of respondents indicated they used to smoke, and 8.1% indicated they only smoked a handful of times or less.
  • More than one‐half (52.8%) of respondents have never smoked a single cigarette.
  • Caucasians were more likely than African Americans to have smoked at some point in time.
  • Of respondents who indicated they used to smoke (23.2%), about one‐third (33.7%) indicated the last time they smoked was between 1 and 5 years ago.
  • Close to one‐half (48.0%) of the respondents last smoked more than ten years ago.
  • Of the respondents who indicated they currently smoke (15.9%), close to eight out of ten (77.6%) indicated they smoke every day, while an additional 13.4% indicated they smoke “most days” and 9.0% smoke “a few times a month.”
  • Close to two‐thirds (65.6%) of the current smokers indicate they have smoked for more than 10 years.
  • While 13.4% of the current smokers indicated they don’t plan on ever quitting, 86.6% of the smokers would like to quit at some point in time.
  • More than six out of ten (62.7%) would like to quit “someday” while 7.5% would like to quit in the near future, and 16.4% would like to quit as soon as possible.
  • When all respondents who indicated they have smoked before (47.2%) were asked how old they were when they smoked their first cigarette, four out of ten (43.2%) were under 18, while an additional 41.7% were between 18 and 24 years old.

Smokers and non‐smokers indicated they believe that:

  • Secondhand smoke is harmful (95.8%)
  • They know the difference between cigarettes with and without menthol (54.7%)
  • They smoke or smoked in front of others (35.9%)
  • Their doctors ask them about smoking and provides resources on how to quit (23.8%)
  • Hookah and e‐cigarettes/vapes are safer alternatives (13.6%)
  • It is everyone’s right to smoke anywhere they want (10.5%)