UW-CTRI History: Expanding Tobacco Treatment

The University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) was founded in 1992 by Michael Fiore, MD, MPH., and is recognized internationally as a leading authority on tobacco research, tobacco treatment and how to quit smoking. UW-CTRI has been a leader in Wisconsin and throughout the world on taking results from tobacco research and applying it to improve tobacco treatment provided by healthcare providers to patients who want to quit smoking.

UW-CTRI has grown from a staff of five in 1992 to a multi-dimensional organization of more than 70. In 1992, tobacco research and tobacco treatment were in their infancy. The Surgeon General’s reports on nicotine addiction and the benefits of quitting smoking had just been released. Scientists were energized, looking for new ways to help people quit smoking. Physicians were exploring tobacco treatment and how the larger community might discourage smoking. UW-CTRI programs were at the forefront of this effort.

Dr. Fiore pioneered the institution of smoking as a vital sign, taken at each visit like blood pressure or temperature. Latest research shows more than 70 percent of American healthcare providers now include smoking as a vital sign.

UW-CTRI also has conducted clinical trials on the nicotine patch, bupropion (Zyban) and other medications that could aid in the treatment of tobacco dependence.

The Center continues to focus on tobacco treatment in both the research conducted by the Center and its Wisconsin outreach program. New studies are designed to better match individuals and their treatments and to focus on the long-term outcomes after quitting.

UW-CTRI Smoking Cessation and Prevention Clinic
Since 1989, the UW Smoking Cessation and Prevention Clinic has provided outpatient care for individuals who want to successfully quit smoking. Clinic staff members help smokers understand the physical and psychological aspects of smoking and help them use a variety of strategies to successfully quit, including attendance at a twice-weekly support group. The clinic trains students of psychology, medicine and other disciplines.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines
In 1996 and 2000, U.S. Clinical Practice Guidelines for treatment of tobacco dependence were published to provide clinicians with recommendations for tobacco treatment. For both, UW-CTRI was chosen to be the lead organization in producing them. The 2000 guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, was released June 27, 2000 and now serves as the international standard for tobacco use treatment.

Federal Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center
In 1999, the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Drug Abuse joined together to support the establishment of Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Centers (TTURC) across the country. In September 1999, UW-CTRI was selected as one of the seven TTURCs. In 2005, UW-CTRI received a second TTURC grant.

Addressing Tobacco In Healthcare
Since 1998, 25 researcher/managed care organization teams have undertaken more than $7 million of research in a program directed by UW-CTRI and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This research looks at changes in healthcare systems that can be made to promote smoking cessation.

Wisconsin Programs
The death and suffering from tobacco use in Wisconsin is profound. More than 7,000 Wisconsin residents die from diseases caused by smoking each year, and smoking costs the state billions in healthcare costs and lost productivity. More than 70 percent of Wisconsin smokers want to quit and close to 50 percent try to quit each year. UW-CTRI saw the need for a comprehensive smoking cessation program in Wisconsin and created a statewide initiative designed to reduce tobacco use.

Subcommittee on Tobacco Cessation
On February 11, 2003, Dr. Michael Fiore, chairman of the Subcommittee on Tobacco Cessation, presented a bold, new plan to promote smoking cessation, reduce smoking prevalence and prevent millions from starting to smoke to the Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health (ICSH) in Washington, D.C.