Text messaging cessation campaigns – 5/18/10

Q: Utah is developing a text messaging campaign for people who are getting ready to quit tobacco. The text messaging campaign is designed to bolster smokers’ confidence in quitting.
 
Can any other states share their experiences with similar text messaging campaigns to help Utah avoid common pitfalls and make the best use of their campaign? What type of messaging should be used? Should the messages be supportive? Informative? Should the messages address healthy lifestyles all around, or just focus on cessation tips? What mix is best?
 
Other states may have information that can be useful as we leave the pilot stage of our text2quit service and roll it out in full swing starting July.

A:

1. California: I recommend that you contact the tobacco control program for Berkeley. The Berkeley High School Health Center has an established text messaging system which students sign-up for and students encourage their peers to sign-up for the text messages.  They promote the Great American Smoke-Out, World No Tobacco Day, Earth Day, etc. through the system.

   Response from City of Berkeley Public Health: Our Text Messaging Service was initiated last year by our High School Health Center and was used primarily to remind students of appointments.  They offered to also send out some text message reminders about school wide health events such as the lunchtime activities associated with the Great American Smokeout.  Program details:

   • Company: Internet Sexuality Information Systems (ISIS).
   • Contact: Allegra Madsen, (510) 835-9400, allegra@isis-inc.org
   • Cost:Approximately $10,000. We received a free pilot to run it this year and we were quoted that amount to continue for the next year.
   • Results: Have you measured responses? Not officially, but wanted to do that over the summer. Students have anecdotally said that they enjoy receiving the text messages and look forward to them.
      
2. North Dakota: ND has not used this type of campaign.

Back to Table of Contents