title: Increasing reach by offering choices: Results from an innovative model for statewide services for smoking cessation.
abstract: Although state quitlines provide free telephone counseling and often include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), reach remains limited (1-2% in most states). More needs to be done to engage all smokers in the quitting process. A possible strategy is to offer choices of cessation services through quitlines and to reduce registration barriers. In March 2014, ClearWay MinnesotaSMimplemented a new model for QUITPLAN® Services, the state's population-wide cessation services. Tobacco users could choose the QUITPLAN® Helpline or one or more Individual QUITPLAN® Services (NRT starter kit, text messaging, email program, or quit guide). The program website was redesigned, online enrollment was added, and a new advertising campaign was created and launched. In 2014-2015, we evaluated whether these changes increased reach. We also assessed quit attempts, quit outcomes, predictors of 30-day abstinence, and average cost per quit via a seven-month follow-up survey. Between March 2014-February 2015, 15,861 unique tobacco users registered, which was a 169% increase over calendar year 2013. The majority of participants made a quit attempt (83.7%). Thirty-day point prevalence abstinence rates (responder rates) were 26.1% for QUITPLAN Services overall, 29.6% for the QUITPLAN Helpline, and 25.5% for Individual QUITPLAN Services. Several variables predicted quit outcomes, including receiving only one call from the Helpline and using both the Helpline and the NRT starter kit. Providing greater choice of cessation services and reducing registration barriers have the potential to engage more tobacco users, foster more quit attempts, and ultimately lead to long-term cessation and reductions in prevalence.
authors: ClearWay Minnesota(SM), 8011 34th Ave S, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55425, USA. Electronic address: pkeller@clearwaymn.org.
authors: Paula A
authors: PA
authors: Keller
authors: ClearWay Minnesota(SM), 8011 34th Ave S, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55425, USA. Electronic address: bschillo@clearwaymn.org.
authors: Barbara A
authors: BA
authors: Schillo
authors: Professional Data Analysts, Inc., 219 Main St SE, Suite 302, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA. Electronic address: akerr@pdastats.com.
authors: Amy N
authors: AN
authors: Kerr
authors: Professional Data Analysts, Inc., 219 Main St SE, Suite 302, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA. Electronic address: blien@pdastats.com.
authors: Rebecca K
authors: RK
authors: Lien
authors: North American Research and Analysis, Inc., 1016 11th Ave NE, Faribault, MN 55021, USA. Electronic address: sauljessie@gmail.com.
authors: Jessie
authors: J
authors: Saul
authors: ClearWay Minnesota(SM), 8011 34th Ave S, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55425, USA. Electronic address: mdreher@clearwaymn.org.
authors: Marietta
authors: M
authors: Dreher
authors: ClearWay Minnesota(SM), 8011 34th Ave S, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55425, USA. Electronic address: rlachter@clearwaymn.org.
authors: Randi B
authors: RB
authors: Lachter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D015277:Hotlines / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013219:State Government; D013689:Telephone