Take A Break - Rural

"Take a Break is an intervention in which smokers are encouraged to engage in smoking abstinence. The main element, the Break, is a two-week challenge where smokers report days they are smoke-free. The Break is preceded by a 1-week training challenge where Challenge Quizzes (ecological momentary assessments) collect information to guide the smokers during the Break. At baseline, all smokers will be provided NRT lozenges for sampling. At week 1 of the Marathon, our Tobacco Treatment Specialist will call all smokers, assess their experiences and facilitate an abstinence goal."

The comparison group will receive Nicotine Replacement Therapy sampling and will be balanced in all variables except the Take a Break Intervention.

Counties randomized to the enhanced program will receive the standard implementation program plus the following enhancements. We will engage and train local implementation champions. The EMS Implementation Champion will go through the Take a Break Intervention but will not receive NRT sampling. The local implementation champions are internal facilitators with additional knowledge and experience related to the electronic referral process. The champions will also be leaders in their county by trying to improve referrals, remind EMS personnel, and distribute feedback on the performance of the county.

In counties randomized to the standard program, we will engage EMS leaders and train local personnel. The training will be applying the Ask-Advise-Refer model and the use of an eRefer tool in EMS situations and conditions. The EMS will then engage smokers in the field or community to use the Ask-Advise-Refer training to submit electronic referrals with the eRefer tool.