Adoption, reach, and implementation of a novel smoking control program: analysis of a public utility-research organization partnership.

Interventions to reach and assist smokers and families of smokers have generally reached a plateau in terms of participation and success rates. This study reports on recruitment and implementation issues involved in a novel partnership with public utilities. The goal of the project is to use information on the synergistic risks of smoking and home radon exposure to motivate and assist smoking families to create smoke-free homes or to stop smoking. We report on recruitment, participation rates, and representativeness at both the utility and the individual or family level. This project recruited 55% of utilities approached and an estimated 11% of smoking families served by these utilities. Lessons learned for recruitment and implementation activities are discussed, and recommendations are made for the conduct and evaluation of future programs using innovative partnerships with public and population-based organizations to reach smokers and reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.