ObjectiveThis study used a programme logic model to describe the inputs, activities and outputs of the ‘10,000 Lives’ smoking cessation initiative in Central Queensland, Australia.DesignA programme logic model provided the framework for the process evaluation of ‘10,000 Lives’. The data were collected through document review, observation and key informant interviews and subsequently analysed after coding and recoding into classified themes, inputs, activities and outputs.SettingThe prevalence of smoking is higher in the Central Queensland region of Australia compared with the national and state averages. In 2017, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services set a target to reduce the percentage of adults who smoke from 16.7% to 9.5% in the Central Queensland region by 2030 as part of their strategic vision (‘Destination 2030’). Achieving this target is equivalent to 20,000 fewer smokers in Central Queensland, which should result in 10,000 fewer premature deaths due to smoking-related diseases. To translate this strategic goal into an actionable smoking cessation initiative, the ‘10,000 Lives’ health promotion programme was officially launched on 1 November 2017.ResultThe activities of the initiative coordinated by a senior project officer included building clinical and community taskforces, organising summits and workshops, and regular communications to stakeholders. Public communication strategies (e.g., Facebook, radio, community exhibitions of ‘10,000 Lives’ and health-related events) were used to promote available smoking cessation support to the Central Queensland community.ConclusionThe ‘10,000 Lives’ initiative provides an example of a coordinated health promotion programme to increase smoking cessation in a regional area through harnessing existing resources and strategic partnerships (e.g., Quitline). Documenting and describing the process evaluation of the ‘10,000 Lives’ model is important so that it can be replicated in other regional areas with high prevalence of smoking.

Background: The prevalence of smoking in Central Queensland (CQ), Australia was higher than the state and national averages. A regional smoking cessation initiative ("10,0 0 0 Lives") was launched to promote available interventions (e.g., Quitline). We investigated the impact of "10,0 0 0 Lives" on referral to and use of Quitline services. Methods:We conducted an interrupted time series analysis using a segmented Poisson regression model to measure the impact of "10,0 0 0 Lives" on monthly referrals to, and use of Quitline services (counselling sessions and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) dispatched by Quitline), in CQ compared to other areas in the state (control population). The control population included all regional areas in Queensland with a comparable smoking prevalence to CQ and similar access to Quitline's Intensive Quit Support Program. We calculated the changes in level and trend of outcomes in CQ relative to the change in the control area during the post-launch period of "10,0 0 0 Lives". The models were checked for autocorrelation and seasonality and adjusted accordingly.Findings: After the introduction of "10,0 0 0 Lives", the mean monthly rate per 1,0 0 0 smoking population increased in the intervention area for each outcome; e.g., from 3 . 3 to 10 . 8 for referrals to Quitline, from 1 . 6 to 4 . 4 for initial counselling session completed. These results were validated by the controlled interrupted time series analysis which showed relative increases for each of these outcomes (238 • 5% for monthly rate of referral to Quitline per 1,0 0 0 smoking population and 248 • 6% for monthly rate of initial counselling sessions completed per 1,0 0 0 smoking population).Interpretation: Our study demonstrates a locally coordinated health promotion initiative can promote and boost the referral to, and use of Quitline smoking cessation services.

Issue addressed The “10,000 Lives” initiative was launched in Central Queensland in November 2017 to reduce daily smoking prevalence to 9.5% by 2030 by promoting available smoking cessation interventions. One of the main strategies was to identify and engage possible stakeholders (local champions for the program) from hospitals and community organisations to increase conversations about smoking cessation and referrals to Quitline. We aimed to understand the roles, experiences and perceptions of stakeholders (possible champions for delivering smoking cessation support) of the “10,000 Lives” initiative in Central Queensland, Australia. Methods We conducted a mixed‐method online survey during the COVID‐19 situation (23 June 2020 to 22 August 2020) with a cross‐section of possible stakeholders who were targeted for involvement in “10, 000 Lives” using a structured questionnaire with mostly closed‐ended questions. Questions were asked regarding their roles, experiences and perceptions about smoking cessation and “10,000 Lives”. Results Among the 110 respondents, 52 (47.3%) reported having provided smoking cessation support, including referral to Quitline, brief intervention and promoting existing interventions. Among them (n = 52), 31 (59.6%) were from hospitals and health services, 14 (26.9%) were from community services and three (5.8%) were from private medical practices while four of them did not report their setting. Twenty‐five respondents (22.7%) self‐identified as being directly involved with the “10, 000 Lives” initiative, which significantly predicted provision of smoking cessation support (OR 6.0, 95% CI: 2.1‐19.8). However, a substantial proportion (63.5%) of those (n = 52) who reported delivering cessation support did not identify as contributing to “10,000 Lives”. Conclusions Stakeholders from hospitals, health services and community services are the main providers of smoking cessation support in Central Queensland. More could be done to support other stakeholders to feel confident about providing cessation support and to feel included in the initiative. So what? Engaging with a range of stakeholders is critical for health promotion program success, to further develop the program and to ensure its sustainability. As such, funding needs to be allocated to the activities that enable this process to occur.

Introduction: In November 2017, Central Queensland Public Health Unit launched the '10,000 Lives' initiative to reduce smoking prevalence in Central Queensland. The program partnered with local champions and other programs (e.g. 'Deadly Choices') to promote the use of smoking cessation services (e.g. Quitline) in Central Queensland. This study assesses the program's impact on Quitline use by participant demographics and Indigenous status. Methods: We compared the number of referred individuals who participated in and completed the Quitline program, and quit smoking during 26-months before (July 2015 to August 2017) and after (November 2017 to December 2019) the '10,000 Lives' launch. We conducted an interrupted time series analysis of monthly referrals to and use of Quitline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Results: Overall, 3207 individuals were referred to Quitline during the 26-monthspost-launch compared to 1594 during 26-months-pre-launch period of '10,000 Lives'. The number of referred individuals who completed Quitline program increased by 330.7% and quit smoking by 308.3% in post-launch period. The increase was substantially higher among aged 45+ years, females and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The result for referrals and use of Quitline was validated by interrupted time series analysis for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Discussion and Conclusions: The '10,000 Lives' collaborative approach to partner with local champions and targeted smoking cessation programs was effective in increasing the use of Quitline and smoking cessation among all demographic groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This approach can be used in other regions to address higher smoking prevalence.

Issue AddressedIn Australia, smoking prevalence is higher in regional areas than in metropolitan cities; Central Queensland, a central‐east district of Queensland, has substantially higher smoking rates than the state average. In November 2017, Central Queensland Public Health Unit (CQPHU) launched the ‘10 000 Lives’ initiative to reduce the smoking prevalence in the region. The initiative partnered with local hospitals and community organisations to increase the uptake of interventions like Quitline in the region. Evaluating a program like ‘10 000 Lives’ is critical for evidence‐based health promotion practice. CQPHU partnered with a large metropolitan Australian university to evaluate the ‘10 000 Lives’ through a scheme that provided a stipend for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student.MethodsThis narrative report describes the experience of evaluating ‘10 000 Lives’ in a collaborative partnership between CQPHU and the public health academia.ResultsA PhD student was recruited to join this collaboration, and both developed a program logic model and completed a process and impact evaluation. This evaluation provided an ideal ‘living’ case study to embed in the Master of Public Health curriculum and provided the PhD student with teaching experience delivering a demonstration of public health in practice.ConclusionThe collaboration project was highly successful, exemplifying research, learning and practical integration for all partners.So What?The partnership demonstrated how universities can work with government health agencies to build practice‐based evidence, and importantly give public health students authentic learning opportunities.