SS 13.30-15.00 Special sessions
This was the fourth national contest in Finland and the eight regional contest in North Karelia. The Quit and Win campaign '96 in North Karelia (CINDI demonstration area) was organized by the Smokefree North Karelia Project. The Smokefree NK Project utilized the existing official and voluntary service network to arrange the campaign. Most of the special campaign activities were carried out in collaboration with non-governmental organizations.
In primary health care and in occupational health care public health nurses and doctors informed their smoking patients about the campaign and recruited for participation. Information and entry forms were distributed also by pharmacies and central hospital. Mass media, especially newspapers and radio participated in the campaign. A Quit and Win radio programme was broadcasted by the Radio NK of the Finnish broadcasting corporation.
The registration form was published in the main county newspaper three times. The coverage of the paper is about 90% of the population. The number of distributed entry forms was about 22 000. Besides the international and national posters North Karelia had an own Quit and Win poster. The number of posters printed was 800. In addition to national prizes North Karelia had own prizes. The main prize was 1500$.
Financial resources devoted to the campaign were nationally about 104 000 $ and in addition for North Karelia 20 400 $.
In North Karelia the number of participants was 601 (2% of smokers 18 years or older). 60% of participants were men. The participation rate in North Karelia was 2.75 times higher than in the rest of Finland.
The overall experience was quite positive. The outcome evaluation will take place one year after the campaign. Previous studies have indicated a 15-20% permanent quit rate, plus several broader benefits for the programme.
It is concluded that a quit & win type of activity is a cost-effective way of community-based antismoking activity, and higher participation can be achieved also after repeated campaigns.
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