Philippe Boucher's Rendez Vous: Robert Leischow
Rendez-vous with Robert Leischow
Projects Administrator, Tobacco Education and Prevention Program, Arizona Department of Health
Email: bleisch@hs.state.az.us
By Philippe Boucher
RENDEZ-VOUS 72
Ftiday, July 21 2000
PB : Thank you Bob for accepting our rendez-vous.
May I ask you to introduce yourself?
Robert Leischow : Thank-you, Philippe, for this opportunity. I received my BA from Marquette University and MPH degree from the University of Arizona - College of Public Health. My career in health includes counseling/teaching behaviorally challenged youth, neuropsychological field research at the Johns Hopkins University, employee worksite wellness, and tobacco control. I've been with the Arizona Tobacco Education and Prevention Program (AzTEPP) since its inception (1995) and have served a leadership role in building and maintaining Arizona's comprehensive tobacco control program. As a program within the Arizona Department of Health Services, the AzTEPP is responsible for administering and monitoring a portion of the tobacco tax revenues generated as a result of a 1994 voter approved tobacco tax initiative. My primary responsibilities include directing, administering and monitoring the "CHAMPS" pilot project, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) pilot project, Arizona Tobacco Information Network (ATIN), telephone-based Arizona Smokers' Helpline (ASH), and Arizona Cessation Training and Evaluation (ACTEV) Project.
Q1. First question : the chronology of successful tobacco control initiatives in the US goes like that: California in 88, Massachusetts in 92, Arizona in 94, Oregon in 96. So can you give us a résumé of what has been achieved in Arizona since the 94 initiative?
BL : Although Arizona's tobacco tax initiative passed in late 1994, the AzTEPP funded its first projects in early '96. Since then the AzTEPP has managed to architect and build an integrated comprehensive statewide program to include community-based Local Projects in every county (providing prevention, cessation and ETS services), a statewide media campaign, a telephone-based Helpline, and supportive "Statewide Projects" that provide materials and evidence-based training and technical assistance. In addition, each of our funded projects (media, Helpline, Local Projects and Statewides) have achieved many things. Rather than create an extensive list, I welcome audience members to contact me with specific questions.
Q2. I have read your last evaluation report that is available on line (http://www.tepp.org) but I have not found a comprehensive report on the tobacco control activities in the State: there are various sites and webpages but not one place where you could get it all or something like the most recent report produced in California that also provides info about what should come next. Can you tell us about your objectives for the future? How is your funding going? Up, down ? are there new directions, new priorities? are new web tools coming ?
BL : The AzTEPP premiered a new/updated website in early July. Feel free to access it at
Q3. The American Legacy Foundation launched a new truth project involving youth while researchers in Oklahoma criticized the settlement (as far as Oklahoma is concerned). How are things going in Arizona in relation to the settlement and the cooperation with the American Legacy Foundation?
BL : The AzTEPP has been working in collaboration with the ALF and will continue to do so as needed. With regard to settlement dollars...As of the end of regular session, the legislature was unable to decide the fate of Arizona's portion of the settlement dollars (~$3.1 billion). Since then, one initiative (Healthy Children/Health Families) has made it on the November ballot and another (Healthy Arizona Initiative) is still collecting signatures. Among those bills that passed in regular session, the construction of a new State Hospital will be repaid by tobacco settlement dollars.
Q4. If I recall correctly you produced your own TV clips, many with a "gross" angle. Are you still using the same approach? How do you pick the themes and style of your media campaigns? Did you use materials from other states ? what about the clips produced by the American Legacy Foundation? Is there an effort to coordinate the programming?
BL : We've definitely produced a few spots that many consider 'gross'. As an example of how we decide approach, the tagline, "Tobacco. Tumor causing, teeth staining, smelly, puking habit", was developed as a result of focus groups with youth. This has been our youth prevention 'brand' since the start of the media campaign (1996). Regardless of target population (youth, adult, pregnant women and partners, Hispanic), approach is determined by primary and secondary research/evaluation. No surprise, but among the most important things we've learned through our own research and evaluation is that a 'canned' media approach will not work for all populations. Realizing this fact, we evaluate the diverse populations and subsequently create media that is specific to Arizona and its diverse groups. We do review media from other states and, in fact, have used existing media. And for those who are not aware, the CDC media clearinghouse maintains existing media (Arizona included) for review and use. With regard to ALF's media, they do have media running in Arizona and we do what we can to coordinate our respective efforts.
Q5. Many states are still in the process of establishing their own office of smoking and health to take care of tobacco control. Can you tell us how you are organized? Were new people hired to handle the program when it was created? how much staff is there now, with what tasks and what is your operating budget? and last but not list how much do tobacco taxes bring into the state's budget ?
BL: Essentially all staff had to be hired because there was no existing program. Presently, the AzTEPP consists of an Office Chief, Administrators in-charge of respective projects (i.e., local projects, Statewide projects, pilot projects, media), Business/Fiscal staff, Health Educators and supportive staff. In total, the AzTEPP functions with 15 FTE positions.
In year-1 our budget was approximately $10 million. Due to legislative action we were later allowed access to additional funds and as a result have, incrementally, been able to build a more comprehensive program. In FY 99/00 our total budget was approximately $40 million. Broken down by project, FY 99/00 estimates are as follows: Local projects (N = 33)...$17 million; Media campaign...$14 million; "Statewide Projects" (N = 2)...$6 million; Pilot projects...$2 million; Department of Education...$1 million. The State of Arizona generates approximately $110 million/year in tobacco tax revenues.
Other Programs that receive tobacco tax revenues are the Office of Primary Care, Arizona Disease Control Research Commission (research) and Department of Corrections.
Q6. Do you have anything else you would like to add ?
BL : Again, thank-you for this opportunity and I welcome anyone to contact me with questions and/or direct you to the AzTEPP website ( WWW.TEPP.ORG). Among many other pieces of information, the latest document on tobacco use among Arizona Adults is now online.
PB : Thank you Bob for taking the time to be with us today.
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