Key Outcome Indicators: For Evaluating Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs

If the United States were to meet the Healthy People 2010 goal of reducing smoking prevalence to 12% among adults and 16% among young people aged 14 through 17 years, more than 7 million premature deaths after 2010 could be prevented.1,2 Studies show that investing in state tobacco control programs and implementing effective tobacco control policies significantly reduces cigarette consumption and improves health outcomes.3–9 To continue funding state programs, however, legislators, policy makers, and other funders of state programs want to see evidence that the program is effective and that resources are being used wisely.

To produce such evidence, state tobacco control programs must evaluate their programs. Good evaluation is the key to persuading policy makers that your program is producing results that will lead to improved health for the community.

This Consumer Reports-style guide provides information on 120 key outcome indicators for evaluation of statewide comprehensive tobacco prevention and control programs.

Indicators are organized by evidence-based logic models. Detailed information is provided for each indicator, including indicator definition, example data sources and measures, and graphic depictions of expert panel ratings across various criteria, such as overall quality and resource utilization.