Effect of nicotine replacement therapy on quitting by young adults in a trial comparing cessation services.
BACKGROUND
Young adult smokers have the highest smoking prevalence among all US age groups but are least likely to use evidence-based cessation counseling or medication to quit.


OBJECTIVE
Use and effectiveness of nicotine patch were explored in a randomized trial evaluating smoking cessation interventions with this population.


METHODS
Smokers aged 18 to 30 (n = 3094) were recruited through online and off-line methods and from telephone quit lines and analyzed.


METHODS
Smokers were enrolled in a pretest-posttest trial, and randomized to 1 of 3 cessation services.


METHODS
Trial delivering counseling services by self-help booklet, telephone quit lines, or online expert system in the 48 continental United States.


METHODS
Smokers could request a free 2-week course of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches from the project.


METHODS
Follow-up surveys at 12 and 26 weeks assessed smoking abstinence, use of NRT, counseling, and other cessation medications, and smoking-related variables.


RESULTS
Overall, 69.0% of smokers reported using NRT (M = 3.2 weeks) at 12 weeks and 74.8% (M = 3.3 weeks) at 26 weeks. More smokers who were sent the free nicotine patches (n = 1695; 54.8%) reported using NRT than those who did not receive them (12 weeks: 84.3% vs 41.9%, P < .001; 26 weeks: 87.6% vs 51.1%, P < .001). The use of NRT was associated with greater smoking abstinence at 12 weeks (P < .001) and 26 weeks (P < .05), especially if used for more than 2 weeks (P < .001). Smokers assigned to a self-help booklet or cessation Web site and heavier smokers were most likely to use NRT (P < .05), whereas those reporting marijuana use and binge drinking used NRT less (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Many young adults were willing to try NRT, and it appeared to help them quit in the context of community-based cessation services. Strategies should be developed to make NRT available to this age group and support them in using it to prevent lifelong smoking.
Klein Buendel, Inc, Golden, Colorado (Drs Buller and Bettinghaus); Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle (Dr Halperin); Oregon Research Institute, Eugene (Dr Severson); Cancer Council Victoria, Carlton South, Victoria, Australia (Dr Borland); School of Communication, Ohio State University, Columbus (Dr Slater); National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (Dr Tinkelman); School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Dr Cutter); and Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (Dr Woodall).
David B
DB
Buller
Abigail
A
Halperin
Herbert H
HH
Severson
Ron
R
Borland
Michael D
MD
Slater
Erwin P
EP
Bettinghaus
David
D
Tinkelman
Gary R
GR
Cutter
William Gill
WG
Woodall
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D057968:Transdermal Patch; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D009538:Nicotine