This study describes participants’ views and insights into crafting effective communication aimed at smokeless tobacco and nicotine pouch prevention among fire academy trainees and new recruits. Firefighters have elevated rates of smokeless tobacco use compared with the general population. Nicotine pouches have also gained popularity among this occupational group. We launched a pilot project centered in rural Northern California counties to uncover factors that can be used to communicate smokeless tobacco and nicotine pouch prevention messages within the firefighter workplace. As a first step, we conducted semi-structured interviews with firefighter subject matter experts, including fire chiefs, fire academy instructors, wildlands firefighters, and recent fire academy graduates. This purposive sample (n = 13) was obtained through referrals from the project’s Community Advisory Board, composed of fire service professionals. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Next, the qualitative interviews were thematically analyzed. The results focus on two aspects of effective workplace communication in the service to delivery of smokeless tobacco and nicotine pouch prevention messages: content (core information conveyed in a message), and format (how the message is transmitted or displayed). Examples of the former are the importance of keeping oneself healthy so that one can do one’s job; do not risk a future compensation claim due to smokeless tobacco or nicotine pouch use. Examples of the latter are the use of brevity; humor. Because firefighters often initiate use of these products after they join the fire service, communicating prevention messages in the workplace during the firefighter training and recruitment stage may help disrupt the uptake of nicotine products.

Firefighters face elevated risks of alcohol misuse due to occupational stress, trauma exposure, and cultural norms within the fire service. This beta test study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of From Bottle to Nozzle, a digitally delivered alcohol awareness and prevention intervention tailored for firefighters. Fifty fire service personnel were invited to participate; 46 consented and completed baseline questionnaires, and 22 completed the full program. The intervention consisted of five self-paced online modules incorporating multimedia content, quizzes, and self-assessments that addressed alcohol history, fire service culture, risk-reduction strategies, communication, and health effects. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured changes in alcohol-related knowledge, alcohol use, motivation to reduce drinking, and usability. Reinforcement messages were delivered via text and email. Alcohol-related knowledge improved significantly post-intervention, particularly in the general and total knowledge domains. Moderate drinkers showed reductions in drinking days and AUDIT scores. Among heavy drinkers, overall consumption declined slightly, though binge-drinking episodes increased. Changes in motivation to reduce drinking were mixed. Usability ratings were high, with an 80% module completion rate and favorable feedback on program brevity and format, though navigation and video length were noted as challenges. From Bottle to Nozzle demonstrated strong feasibility and acceptability. While knowledge gains were robust, behavioral outcomes were mixed, highlighting the need for larger controlled studies with extended follow-up.