title: Nicotine replacement therapy distribution to light daily smokers calling a quitline.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With an increasing prevalence of lighter smokers presenting for cessation assistance, outcome-based recommendations are needed to inform nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) distribution protocols by quitlines.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasi-experimental design was utilized to compare quit rates based on samples selected from the time period before and after NRT (gum or lozenge) was offered to light daily smokers (1-9 cigarettes) contacting the New York State Smokers' Quitline. Outcome measures included self-reported 7- and 30-day abstinence rates, numbers of daily cigarettes among continuing smokers, and cost per quit analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among responders to the follow-up survey, quit rates were higher for those given NRT compared with those not offered NRT at both 7 (33.0% vs. 27.2%; Relative Risk [RR] = 2.25 [95% CI: 1.15, 4.40; p < .05]) and 30 days (28.0% vs. 21.9%; RR = 2.63 [95% CI: 1.25, 5.54; p < .05]). Similar results were obtained based on intent-to-treat analyses for both 7 (13.4% vs. 11.3%; RR = 1.92 [95% CI: 1.08, 3.39; p < .05]) and 30 days (11.4% vs. 9.1%; RR = 2.29 [95% CI: 1.20, 4.40; p < .05]). Among continuing smokers, the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day increased from enrollment to follow-up in both groups, but less so in those receiving NRT. The additional cost associated with providing a 2-week free supply of nicotine replacement to smokers was $52 for gum and $74 for lozenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that light daily smokers (1-9 cigarettes) who contact a telephone quitline are interested in using NRT if offered and are able to achieve higher quit rates compared with those not offered NRT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA. Laurie.krupski@roswellpark.org
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krupski
authors.forename: K Michael
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hyland
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carlin-Menter
authors.forename: Benjamin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Toll
authors.forename: Martin C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mahoney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine