1. Introduction
Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death and disease [1]. Most people who smoke want to quit. For example, one US study found 68% of smokers want to quit [Reference Babb, Malarcher, Schauer, Asman and Jamal2]; however, most quit attempts without support are unsuccessful. It is recognised that interventions using a combination of pharmacotherapy and behavioural support are most effective [Reference Reid, Pritchard, Walker, Aitken, Mullen and Pipe3]. While multipronged approaches appear to yield initial quit success, further investigation into behavioural modification programs that can sustain successful quit outcomes and prevent relapse is warranted [Reference Livingstone-Banks, Norris and Hartmann-Boyce4].
Among other existing strategies, exercise may serve as a promising smoking cessation approach given its broad and beneficial proposed effects including substantial evidence that acute bouts of exercise decrease nicotine withdrawal symptoms and alleviate mood disturbance [Reference Bailey, Keyworth and Lind5]. There is also evidence that exercise may suppress appetite which may be highly significant for those looking to avoid weight gain during a cessation attempt [Reference Taylor, Ussher and Faulkner6]. The reductions of anxiety sensitivity and dysphoria, which can be accomplished through exercise, are two independent mechanisms that explain cessation success [Reference Zvolensky, Rosenfield and Garey7]. However, despite plausible mechanisms through which exercise may assist smoking cessation, there is currently modest evidence that incorporating exercise into smoking cessation attempts improves abstinence compared to traditional treatment alone [Reference Ussher, Faulkner, Angus, Hartmann-Boyce and Taylor8]. Despite this, researchers have suggested that the hypothetically intersecting mechanisms provide sufficient motive to continue developing and testing exercise-based smoking cessation programs [Reference Linke, Ciccolo, Ussher and Marcus9].
One such program is the Walk or Run to Quit (WRTQ) physical activity-based smoking cessation program. WRTQ is a Canadian program formed through a multisectoral partnership between an industry (Running Room), nonprofit (Canadian Cancer Society), and academic (UBC) partnership combining other smoking cessation strategies with an overarching exercise intervention in an effort to decrease smoking prevalence and increase overall physical activity and running frequency of participants [Reference Priebe, Atkinson and Faulkner10]. Overall, the 10-week program exhibited potential as a scalable intervention that can simultaneously target both smoking cessation and physical activity (see [Reference Priebe, Atkinson and Faulkner11, Reference Priebe, Wunderlich, Atkinson and Faulkner12]).
After the first year of the program, 90.8% of the participants who completed the in-person clinics reported reducing their smoking because of the program. Over 50% of the program completers did not smoke a cigarette within the last week of the program as confirmed by carbon monoxide testing. Despite these benefits, there was some concern about the homogeneity of the participants in recruiting white, college educated individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds [Reference Priebe, Atkinson and Faulkner11]. The majority of participants ranged from 40 to 59 years old, and 71% were female. Ninety-four per cent of participants identified as white, with 65.6% fully employed and 70% owning their home. In terms of participant education level, 68% had received at least a college education [Reference Priebe, Atkinson and Faulkner11]. This does not reflect the broader demographic profile of smokers in Canada who tend to be male and older and report lower income [13].
One barrier to broader representation may have been the cost of participation (a $70 registration fee). In 2018, some participants had their registration fee subsidized so that they did not have to pay to join the program. This subsidy implementation is of interest as price-based policies, including the use of subsidies, can directly address financial cost as a barrier. In Canada, subsidization policies were associated with modest increases in the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use and quit success [Reference White, Rynard, Reid, Ahmed, Burkhalter and Hammond14]. Previous research has explored the role of incentives on cessation outcomes [Reference Notley, Gentry and Livingstone-Banks15, Reference Sigmon and Patrick16] and recruitment [Reference Belisario, Bruggeling, Gunn, Brusamento and Car17] and has found them to be effective. As defined by the search terms used by Sigmon and Patrick, incentives in this context are often contingent on cessation outcomes. This is in contrast to subsidies in programs like WRTQ where the cost of the program is waived for some participants. Research on the impact of subsidization on exercise programs and/or multicomponent cessation programs including its effect on the demographic profile of participants is sparse. Therefore, this current study addressed two objectives: the first was to identify whether subsidies were successful in diversifying participant demographics in the program, and the second was to identify if there were any associations between subsidization and program attendance, completion rates, running frequency, and smoking cessation. It was hypothesized that subsidies would be effective in diversifying the participant demographics. No a priori hypotheses were set regarding program outcomes.
2. Methods
2.1. Participants
Participants were Canadian adults (N = 745) registered for WRTQ clinics at Running Room stores across Canada (see [Reference Priebe, Wunderlich, Atkinson and Faulkner12] for further details). Participants were eligible to register if they were at least age of majority in the province within which they registered (e.g., 18 years in Alberta), a Canadian citizen, a current smoker or commercial tobacco user, or someone who quit within the last three months and had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their life. Family and friends who provided social support to participants could also register as “buddies.” All registered participants were invited to take part in the evaluation.
WRTQ in-person clinics were held at various Running Room stores across Canada, with a registration fee of $70 CAD per person. This registration fee covered access to the program which included a 10-week smoking cessation and running curriculum led by a coach. Nicotine replacement therapy was available outside programs but was accessible and free/included for all participants as were provincial quitline supports (e.g., https://quitnow.ca).
During the third year of the program’s implementation, full subsidies were incorporated and distributed by health care professionals to a portion of potential participants with the intention of increasing the diversity of participation [Reference Priebe, Wunderlich, Atkinson and Faulkner12]. This was accomplished by providing coupon codes to health care practitioners and the national quit smoking line to share with patients and callers eligible for the program. They were instructed to identify smokers who felt that the cost of the program was a barrier. Staff from the Canadian Cancer Society distributed the coupon codes at fairs, at community events, and to individuals outside on smoke breaks. Indigenous community leaders and rural health centres were also given the coupon codes for distribution.
During the first two years (2016 and 2017; n = 384), there was a $70 CAD registration fee. In the third year (2018; n = 331), 58.9% paid the $70 fee while the remaining (41.1%) received a subsidy. For these analyses, participants were excluded if they were a nonsmoking buddy (n = 30) since this would artificially decrease the 7-day PPA scores.
2.2. Research Design and Procedure
A pre-postdesign with paper and pen surveys were used to collect self-report data on physical activity and smoking behaviours. These surveys were completed at weeks 1 and 10. The week 1 survey also include demographic information (i.e., sex, education, and home ownership). Device-measured carbon monoxide (CO) was collected using a coVita piCO+ Smokerlyzer® device at weeks 1 and 10. Coaches completed a log each week that tracked participants’ attendance.
2.3. Measures
Attendance. Program attendance was collected (1-10 sessions).
Completion status. Completion of the program was defined as both attending and completing postprogram measures at week 10.
Smoking status. Smoking status was represented by 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA), which assesses whether participants smoked in the past week. A survey question (have you smoked, even a puff, in the last 7 days?) and CO scores were used to determine 7-day PPA. Meeting 7-day PPA was defined as not having a puff in the last 7 days and having a CO level of <10 ppm at the week 10 assessment.
Run frequency. Physical activity at week 10 was assessed with the item “How many times/week do you currently run (for at least 10 minutes at a time), if at all?”
Intention to quit smoking. Intention to quit in the next 30 days was measured at week 1 using a single item with dichotomous yes/no response options. “Are you seriously considering quitting within the next 30 days?”
Participant demographics. Demographics reported at baseline included sex (male/female), race/ethnicity (categorized as white/all other responses for the purposes of analyses), age, highest level of education completed (secondary school or less/postsecondary education (college, university, graduate school)), home ownership (own/rent), and employment status (employed full-time/all other responses (employed part-time, student full-time, student part-time, self-employed, at home with children, without paid employment, and not applicable)). Socioeconomic status “(or sometimes socioeconomic position) refers to standing in the stratification system and is usually measured by education, occupation, employment, income, and wealth.” ([Reference Pampel, Krueger and Denney18], p. 351). There was no direct measurement of income but home ownership, employment status, and education were used as indirect measures.
2.4. Data Analyses
Descriptive statistics, including chi-square (χ2) tests, depicted participant demographic information as well as completion and smoking status. Independent samples t-tests assessed the differences in attendance and run frequency. These tests were used to compare unsubsidized and subsidized participants in 2018 and whether there were any differences between participants who took part pre- (2016-2017) and postsubsidization (2018). An intent-to-treat (ITT) approach was used for 7-day PPA and run frequency. If participants did not have data for both survey and CO criteria (i.e., they did not complete the program), it was assumed that they were still smoking and did not meet 7-day PPA. Participants missing week 10 running frequency data were assumed to have the same running frequency as baseline before starting the program.
3. Results
3.1. Participant Demographic
An overview of the demographic profile of participants in all years, pre- and postsubsidization, and for participants who were and were not subsidized in 2018 is provided in Table 1. Results from the statistical tests are also included. Overall, the sample was primarily female (74.9%), was white (93.5%), had completed postsecondary education (78.3%), was employed full time (65.8%), and was 40-59 years old (64.2%).
3.2. Outcomes
3.2.1. Pre- and Postsubsidization
Pre- and postsubsidization results were compared to explore whether the partially subsidized year had a comparable demographic profile and program outcomes to years without subsidies. There were statistically significant differences for program completion status (presubsidization = 47.4%; postsubsidization = 37.5%;
, p < .01). There were also statistically significant differences for attendance, with participants in the presubsidization years attending more sessions (M = 5.5, SD = 3.0) than those in the postsubsidization year (M = 4.9, SD = 3.0;
, p < .01). There were no statistically significant differences (p’s > .05) for smoking status, sex, identifying as white, education, age, home ownership, employment status, run frequency, or intention to quit smoking.
3.2.2. Subsidized and Unsubsidized Participants
There were no statistically significant differences (p’s > .05) for any demographic or outcome variables when comparing participants who were subsidized and unsubsidized in 2018.
4. Discussion
WRTQ was a nationwide Canadian program consisting of group-based clinics that utilized varying strategies to target smoking cessation and physical activity. Despite results supporting the program’s utility in decreasing smoking status and increasing physical activity with moderate-to-strong effects on indicators of participants’ health behaviours, the homogenous and unrepresentative participant demographic profile was recognized as an area for improvement [Reference Priebe, Wunderlich, Atkinson and Faulkner12]. This recognition subsequently led to the incorporation of full program subsidization for select participants to diversify participation (i.e., patients who were identified by a health care practitioner as someone for whom cost was a barrier to participation). Our results suggest that subsidies were unsuccessful in this regard. There were differences in the proportion of participants who completed the program and average number of sessions attended when comparing the year when subsidies were offered and the years that they were not. This might have been a result of the national scale-up of the program between years 2 and 3 and variability in intervention fidelity. On a positive note, subsidies did not appear to undermine participants’ motivation and success as there were no statistically significant differences in program attendance, drop-out, running frequency, intention to quit, and smoking cessation between those who received the subsidies and those who did not within the same year.
Our findings do not rule out a potential role of subsidies in future programs like WRTQ. Given no difference in the demographic profile of those receiving or not receiving subsidies, it may be that the mechanism for distributing subsidies was ineffective. As a secondary analysis, tracking of the subsidy distribution process was not conducted and as a result, we are unable to comment on this process. Future programs with subsidy components could be more deliberate in assessing the effects of subsidies by also exploring the experiences of those that received subsidies. It may be that the subsidies were necessary for some individuals where cost was a real barrier to participation. Only collecting proxy measures of income (home ownership, employment status, and education) is a limitation of the analysis. Current research regarding the effects of subsidies on physical activity participation remains limited, and future research is warranted regarding how subsidies are effectively delivered to alleviate financial barriers.
Another consideration is that the nature of the WRTQ program was potentially not attractive to a more diverse group of participants for two reasons. First, as a multisectoral health partnership between a health charity, Canadian Cancer Society and an industry organization, Running Room, the programs were provided at the organization’s Running Room stores. These stores are located in high-density, urban settings. Such settings may not have been accessible to many individuals who could have benefited from the program. Future iterations of the WRTQ program should implement broader outreach and move “clinics to the communities.”
Second, the connotations associated with leisure time physical activity (such as running or walking) may also be a barrier to participation for a broader demographic of participants. Adults with lower SES may be more physically active at work and less active during their leisure time [Reference Rasmussen, Dumuid and Hron19, Reference Stalsberg and Pedersen20]. This occupational physical activity may be a barrier to leisure-time physical activity, making a program like WRTQ less appealing. Examples of barriers to leisure time physical activity for low SES adults include poor urban planning that may deter activity in their own neighbourhoods, program times that do not account for work schedules and availability of childcare, not having clothes that feel comfortable while being active in public or outside, and family or friends considering making time for physical activity to be selfish [Reference Rawal, Smith, Quach and Renzaho21]. Additionally, financial barriers can also extend beyond the registration fee, such as the cost of childcare and transportation that are required to participate [Reference Rawal, Smith, Quach and Renzaho21]. Simply, providing free registration does not remove all financial barriers to participation. The design of the WRTQ program, combined with its location and timing, may have been unappealing to a more diverse audience of Canadians looking for smoking cessation support.
There are a number of strengths and limitations associated with this particular program evaluation. The study is limited in that it could not account for extraneous variables that may have influenced subsidy uptake. Income was not directly measured nor was subsidy distribution adequately assessed. Strengths of this study include its national scale and reach, the use of objective measures for smoking cessation, and the ability to compare program demographics both over different program years with and without subsidies and across a single program with some participants receiving the subsidy intervention.
5. Conclusion
Integrating physical activity into smoking cessation interventions may have synergistic health benefits through multiple health behaviour change. Irrespective of cessation outcomes, increasing physical activity may confer some harm reduction benefits [Reference DeRuiter and Faulkner22]. The impact of Walk or Run to Quit on cessation outcomes was comparable to other multicomponent interventions [Reference Priebe, Wunderlich, Atkinson and Faulkner12] while also increasing physical activity among those who completed the program. Ensuring equitable access to programs like Walk or Run to Quit should be a priority given the intersections between racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in both smoking [Reference Hiscock, Bauld, Amos and Platt23, Reference Nguyen-Grozavu, Pierce and Sakuma24] and physical activity [Reference Mielke, Malta, Nunes and Cairney25, Reference Watson, Whitfield, Chen, Hyde and Omura26]. In this case, subsidization did not expand the relatively narrow demographic profile of participants. Future iterations will need more careful consideration of the recruitment design and cocreate strategies to overcome barriers to broader participation [Reference Ejiogu, Norbeck, Mason, Cromwell, Zonderman and Evans27]. This may require reconceptualizing what subsidies are targeting beyond registration cost and the content of the program itself.
Data Availability
In the interest of guarding the privacy and confidentiality of the WRTQ participants and as necessitated by our ethics, the raw data will not be shared.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Acknowledgments
We thank the management and staff at the Canadian Cancer Society and the Running Room Canada for their collaboration on WRTQ, and the participants for their involvement in the program. This research was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). GF was supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Chair in Applied Public Health.
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