title: Lessons learned from the implementation of a time-limited, large-scale nicotine replacement therapy giveaway program in New York City.
abstract: Since 2006, the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has conducted the Nicotine Patch and Gum Program (NPGP) in collaboration with 311, NYC's non-emergency information line. In two prior years, the program was conducted in collaboration with the New York State (NYS) Smokers' Quitline and with community-based organizations. The NPGP is an annual, brief, population-based nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) giveaway for NYC residents, complementing the NYS Quitline's year-round NRT distribution program. Since 2006, 168,000 smokers have enrolled, with the largest number of enrollees in 2010 (n = 40,000) and the smallest number in 2009 (n = 28,000). A 2003 program evaluation demonstrated that smokers who received NRT through the NPGP had higher quit rates than smokers who did not receive NRT; these results were replicated in 2006 and 2008. Lessons learned from implementing the NPGP include: 1) time-limited NRT interventions are important complements to year-round NRT distribution; 2) expanding NRT distribution to light smokers increases treatment reach; and 3) employing multiple enrollment mechanisms, including telephone and online options, extends program reach to diverse groups of smokers. The NPGP provides a model for other jurisdictions considering implementing time-limited, population-based NRT programs as a complementary strategy to enhance ongoing tobacco control efforts.
authors: Optum Health, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, USA. karen.anne.davis@optum.com
authors: Karen A
authors: KA
authors: Davis
authors: Micaela H
authors: MH
authors: Coady
authors: Ijeoma G
authors: IG
authors: Mbamalu
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Sacks
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Kilgore
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009519:New York City; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cessation; health promotion; tobacco prevention and control