Tobacco quitline use: enhancing benefit and increasing abstinence.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to evaluate the impact on the quitline utilization and abstinence rates of increasing a free nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) benefit from 4 weeks to 6 weeks.


METHODS
Intake data were utilized to assess the number of callers to the quitline during the time period in which 4 weeks of free NRT was provided (January-November 2006) and the time period of the enhanced NRT benefit (December 2006-June 2007). Abstinence rates at 3 and 6 months were calculated for people utilizing the quitline program during both time periods.


RESULTS
The mean number of intake calls to the quitline increased from 397 (range 326-509) prior to the enhanced NRT benefit to 712 (range 592-1227) during the 6-week NRT benefit period. The 6-month tobacco abstinence rates were significantly higher among people receiving the 6-week NRT benefit compared to those receiving the 4-week benefit (OR=1.51; 95% CI=1.07, 1.66).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the promotion of an expanded NRT benefit can increase quitline utilization and abstinence rates.
Campbell
Stacy L
SL
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Tobacco Use Prevention Section, Helena, Montana 59620-2951, USA.
Lee
Linda
L
Haugland
Cynthia
C
Helgerson
Steven D
SD
Harwell
Todd S
TS
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D015277:Hotlines / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*