@Article{crph1190,
AUTHOR = {Sheikhattari, Payam and Barsha, Rifath Ara Alam and Egboluche, Chidubem and Foster, Adriana and Assari, Shervin},
TITLE = {CEASE Tobacco Cessation Program: Validation of Self-Rated Quit with Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence},
JOURNAL = {Current Research in Public Health},
VOLUME = {4},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {22-33},
URL = {https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/GJCD/article/view/1190},
ISSN = {2831-5162},
DOI = {10.31586/gjcd.2025.1190},
ABSTRACT = {Background: Despite advancements in smoking cessation interventions, few programs have demonstrated sustained effectiveness among low-income, underserved populations. The Communities Engaged and Advocating for a Smoke-free Environment (CEASE) program was developed to address this gap and support tobacco cessation in these communities. However, it remains unclear whether self-reported outcome measures in this context are in line with more objective outcome measures. Aims: This study aimed to validate self-reported quit rates using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) as a gold standard outcome measure for evaluation of the effectiveness of the CEASE smoking cessation intervention compared to a self-help approach among low-income, underserved adult smokers. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed to evaluate this community-based intervention. Although participants were initially assigned to three groups, this report focuses on two arms that show the major difference in the efficacy of the program: (1) the self-help group (reference; Arm 1) and (2) the in-person CEASE group (Arm 2). Outcomes included successful quitting, assessed through self-reports, and changes in FTND scores. To examine the concordance between these measures, we tested whether changes in FTND scores fully explained the relationship between the intervention and self-reported quitting. Potential confounders included demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related variables. Data were analyzed using regression and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The majority of participants were Black Americans, followed by White individuals and those of other racial backgrounds. The CEASE intervention (Arm 2) demonstrated effectiveness in reducing nicotine dependence (measured by FTND) and increasing self-reported quit rates compared to the self-help group. Importantly, changes in FTND scores fully explained the effect of the CEASE intervention on self-reported quitting, highlighting the program’s impact on addiction severity. Conclusion: Successful quitting measured using self-report is in line with the decline in nicotine addiction severity among low-income racial minority populations. CEASE holds promise as a scalable solution to address smoking disparities in underserved communities.},
}

%0 Journal Article
%A Sheikhattari, Payam
%A Barsha, Rifath Ara Alam
%A Egboluche, Chidubem
%A Foster, Adriana
%A Assari, Shervin
%D 2025
%J Current Research in Public Health

%@ 2831-5162
%V 4
%N 1
%P 22-33

%T CEASE Tobacco Cessation Program: Validation of Self-Rated Quit with Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence
%M doi:10.31586/gjcd.2025.1190
%U https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/GJCD/article/view/1190

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Sheikhattari, Payam
AU  - Barsha, Rifath Ara Alam
AU  - Egboluche, Chidubem
AU  - Foster, Adriana
AU  - Assari, Shervin
TI  - CEASE Tobacco Cessation Program: Validation of Self-Rated Quit with Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence
T2  - Current Research in Public Health
PY  - 2025
VL  - 4
IS  - 1
SN  - 2831-5162
SP  - 22
EP  - 33
UR  - https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/GJCD/article/view/1190
AB  - Background: Despite advancements in smoking cessation interventions, few programs have demonstrated sustained effectiveness among low-income, underserved populations. The Communities Engaged and Advocating for a Smoke-free Environment (CEASE) program was developed to address this gap and support tobacco cessation in these communities. However, it remains unclear whether self-reported outcome measures in this context are in line with more objective outcome measures. Aims: This study aimed to validate self-reported quit rates using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) as a gold standard outcome measure for evaluation of the effectiveness of the CEASE smoking cessation intervention compared to a self-help approach among low-income, underserved adult smokers. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed to evaluate this community-based intervention. Although participants were initially assigned to three groups, this report focuses on two arms that show the major difference in the efficacy of the program: (1) the self-help group (reference; Arm 1) and (2) the in-person CEASE group (Arm 2). Outcomes included successful quitting, assessed through self-reports, and changes in FTND scores. To examine the concordance between these measures, we tested whether changes in FTND scores fully explained the relationship between the intervention and self-reported quitting. Potential confounders included demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related variables. Data were analyzed using regression and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The majority of participants were Black Americans, followed by White individuals and those of other racial backgrounds. The CEASE intervention (Arm 2) demonstrated effectiveness in reducing nicotine dependence (measured by FTND) and increasing self-reported quit rates compared to the self-help group. Importantly, changes in FTND scores fully explained the effect of the CEASE intervention on self-reported quitting, highlighting the program’s impact on addiction severity. Conclusion: Successful quitting measured using self-report is in line with the decline in nicotine addiction severity among low-income racial minority populations. CEASE holds promise as a scalable solution to address smoking disparities in underserved communities.
DO  - CEASE Tobacco Cessation Program: Validation of Self-Rated Quit with Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence
TI  - 10.31586/gjcd.2025.1190
ER  -