People who quit tobacco know it can be a difficult process. Often, it takes multiple attempts before someone can quit for good.
I have been exposed to secondhand smoke from family members and close friends. I knew early on that I wanted to support those close to me in their quit journeys.
Over the years, I have watched those close to me repeatedly try to quit tobacco with various approaches (e.g., cold turkey, nicotine replacement therapy, support from their local Quitline, etc.). For some, those approaches worked immediately. For others, it was a long, winding road. There are a lot of reasons why it takes multiple attempts.
The Colorado Department of Law’s Opioid Response Unit engaged SE2 to develop and launch the Connect Effect campaign to harness the protective power of peer and lore ipsum delore est adult connections and highlight positive social norms.
The campaign emphasizes that a vast majority of Colorado teens are making healthy choices and are willing to protect their friends from potential dangers. Key components of the approach include:
- Highlighting Positive Statistics: Promoting data that shows 87% of Colorado teens would intervene to stop a friend from taking a pill not prescribed to them, reinforcing that these protective behaviors are the norm.
- Educational Resources: Providing accessible information about the risks of fentanyl, recognizing signs of an overdose, and the life-saving potential of naloxone (known by the brand name Narcan).
- Facilitating Open Dialogue: Offering guidance for parents and other trusted adults on how to engage in meaningful conversations with teens about substance misuse and peer pressure.
- Multilingual Support: Ensuring parent resources are available in both English and Spanish to reach a broad audience.
A statewide paid media campaign used social, digital, and targeted out-of-home placements in schools and community centers. Using our SE2 PowerMap™ process, we engaged our network of community partners to disseminate campaign messages (e.g., inserting Connect Effect content into their newsletters and social media channels), hanging materials throughout their facilities, and speaking about the campaign in presentations and trainings.
Resources To Help You or a Loved One Quit
Quitting tobacco is a process. Whether you are thinking about quitting, are not yet ready to quit or you’re ready to try again, Colorado QuitLine can help you every step of the way. Find out how the Colorado QuitLine (in Spanish at https://dejeloyacolorado.org) can support you on your quit journey.
TobaccoFreeCO.org (in Spanish at www.coloradosintabaco.org) has tools and resources. Learn more about how to quit tobacco for good here.
For those supporting a loved one on their quit journey, know that those quitting tobacco are more likely to succeed when they have support. Find ways you can support your loved ones quit tobacco here.
