Cost effectiveness of the Oregon quitline "free patch initiative".
OBJECTIVE
We estimated the cost effectiveness of the Oregon tobacco quitline's "free patch initiative" compared to the pre-initiative programme.


METHODS
Using quitline utilisation and cost data from the state, intervention providers and patients, we estimated annual programme use and costs for media promotions and intervention services. We also estimated annual quitline registration calls and the number of quitters and life years saved for the pre-initiative and free patch initiative programmes. Service utilisation and 30-day abstinence at six months were obtained from 959 quitline callers. We compared the cost effectiveness of the free patch initiative (media and intervention costs) to the pre-initiative service offered to insured and uninsured callers. We conducted sensitivity analyses on key programme costs and outcomes by estimating a best case and worst case scenario for each intervention strategy.


RESULTS
Compared to the pre-intervention programme, the free patch initiative doubled registered calls, increased quitting fourfold and reduced total costs per quit by $2688. We estimated annual paid media costs were $215 per registered tobacco user for the pre-initiative programme and less than $4 per caller during the free patch initiative. Compared to the pre-initiative programme, incremental quitline promotion and intervention costs for the free patch initiative were $86 (range $22-$353) per life year saved.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to the pre-initiative programme, the free patch initiative was a highly cost effective strategy for increasing quitting in the population.
Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97227, USA. jeffrey.fellows@kpchr.org
Jeffrey L
JL
Fellows
Terry
T
Bush
Tim
T
McAfee
John
J
Dickerson
D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising / Q000191:economics; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D015277:Hotlines / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009922:Oregon; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000628:therapy*
D009538:Nicotine