Feasibility of Tobacco Use Assessment and Intervention with Low-Income Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Community-Based AIDS Service Organizations

Smoking is one of the most well-known causes of cancer and breathing problems. Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are more likely to smoke than other people in the U.S. While many people want to quit smoking, others are not ready. This study is evaluating a treatment session designed especially for low-income PLWHA to help them discuss their smoking and take action. Stopping smoking will help prevent cancer and breathing problems.

Participants will first complete a questionnaire asking about their personal and medical history, tobacco use, interest in quitting smoking, breathing symptoms, beliefs about their health, alcohol use, drug use, and mood. They will then be randomly assigned to one of two groups.

One group will be provided with educational material and then be offered referral to smoking cessation guidance through the New York or New Jersey State Smokers¿ Quitline. The second group will receive this educational material and referral in addition to personalized counseling offered through an initiative called AIR (Aspiration, Inspiration, Respiration). Participants in the AIR group will have their lung health assessed via breath tests and receive personalized counseling about how to improve their lung health in a way that fits their life goals. Investigators will compare the two groups after the study.

Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), The City College of New York (CCNY), and Gay Men¿s Health Crisis (GMHC) are coordinating this study. However, no patients will be enrolled at MSKCC or CCNY. This study is being conducted at AIDS service organizations in New York and New Jersey.