Smoking Cessation, with National Football League Hall of Famer Darrell Green

Introduction

What do children know about the effects of smoking and secondhand smoke and reasons to quit?

More than you might think.

These four 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) offer a candid discussion of these topics between Darrell Green (formerly of the Washington Redskins) and a group of engaging third-graders.

Background

An estimated 44.5 million Americans currently smoke. Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and in adults who do not smoke.

The Smoking Cessation PSAs were developed through a joint effort of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and Darrell Green, Founder of two foundations for children: The Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation (DGYLF) and the Darrell Green Business Council for Youth.

To create the spots, Mr. Green asked a class of third-grade students in Rockville, Maryland, questions about smoking. Their answers are unscripted.

For instance, to questions such as:

"How can smoking affect you?"
"What could you tell adults to make them quit?"

The kids answered:

"Smoking stinks."
"It hurts your lungs and you might die."
"My grandpa smokes and I wish he would stop because I love him."

At the end Mr. Green says, "Is there any better reason to quit? Be a champion and set a healthy example."

Each of the PSAs provides information on one or both of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services resources:

• You Can Quit Smoking Now. Go to: http://www.smokefree.gov.
• National Quitline Number: 1-800-QUITNOW.

The success of quit lines to help smokers quit has been documented as an evidence-based tool in the U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence.

AHRQ placed the Smoking Cessation PSAs in morning, afternoon, and evening broadcast timeslots during the 2006 Olympics and the 2006 Super Bowl, and all four 30-second spots continue to air on TV stations nationwide.

Viewing the Video

You may watch any of the four PSAs on your computer. The PSAs are available only in English.

Listen to Your Kids
Video / Transcript

Kids Know What Smoking Can Do
Video / Transcript

Secondhand Smoke
Video / Transcript

Score by Quitting (Touchdown)
Video / Transcript

Additional Resources on Quitting Smoking

For Consumers:

• You Can Quit Smoking—Pocket Card  (  PDF version - 112.4 KB ; Text Version).
• You Can Quit Smoking: Poster (  PDF version - 66.92 KB ; Text Version).
  Also available en español: Usted puede dejar de fumar: Guía del consumidor (  PDF version - 136.2 KB ).

For Clinicians:

• Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence—Clinician's Packet.
• Clinician Tearsheet, Primary Care (  PDF version - 61.17 KB ; Text Version).
  Also available en español (  PDF version - 59.94 KB ; Text Version).

Other Information:

• Healthcare 411 Audio Newscast: Smoking Cessation.

For print copies:

• Call AHRQ's Publications Clearinghouse toll-free at: 800-358-9295.
• Send an Email request to: ahrqpubs@ahrq.hhs.gov.