The impact of a free nicotine patch starter kit on quit rates in a state quit line

Abstract

All states offer telephone quit lines but they are under-used in part because of the costs associated with promotion. Offering nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as well as behavioral counseling can increase treatment participation and abstinence rates, but is expensive. Offering less than a full NRT 8-week course can also generate calls to the quit line but less is known about its impact on program outcomes. In October 2004, Oregon--a state with over 3 million people, 500,000 smokers, and a state-funded quit line--introduced the Free Patch Initiative: a free 2-week introductory supply of NRT with phone counseling offered to all callers. We examined the impact of this intervention among insured callers. Most (97.2%) requested free patches, 86.2% used them, and 47.2% obtained additional patches on their own. Six-month outcome data were obtained from insured quit line participants before (n = 268) and after (n = 614) the Initiative launched. Compared with pre-Initiative controls, Free Patch participants were more satisfied with the quit line (84.8% vs. 89.8%; p = .04) and had higher 7-day quit rates using the assumption that eligible nonrespondents are smokers (9.3% vs. 17.0%, OR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.4-2.8) and using respondent only analysis (19% vs. 33.6%, OR = 2.15; 95% CI 1.52-3.04). Offering a free direct mail starter pack of NRT along with telephone counseling is an effective, cost-sharing method for promoting quit line use, enhancing participant satisfaction, and increasing the reach and effectiveness of quit lines among quit line callers with health insurance.

Pharmacists’ Perceptions of Participation in a Community Pharmacy-Based Nicotine Replacement Therapy Distribution Program

“…As an incentive for participation in telephone-based counseling, some state-funded quitlines have offered patients free pharmacotherapy and this approach has been found to increase quitline call volumes and quit rates [6][7][8][9]. To our knowledge, this public health initiative was the first to incorporate distribution of free NRT products through community pharmacies.…”

“…In a study estimating smoking cessation rates among individuals who contacted a telephone quitline, those who received free NRT were more likely to quit successfully than were those who did not receive free NRT [6]. Smoking cessation initiatives incorporating free NRT also have been shown to increase call volume to telephone quitlines [7][8][9].…”

Yoga as a Complementary Treatment for Smoking Cessation in Women

“…10 However, 50%-80% of smokers who attempt to quit will elect not to use medications, [11][12][13][14] and efforts to encourage medication use during quit attempts have met with mixed success. [15][16][17][18] Smokers may avoid medication use because of legitimate concerns about adverse side effects, contraindications based on their personal health history, costs of pharmacotherapy, and the perceived desirability of a chemical-free quit experience. [19][20][21][22][23] Thus, alternative smoking cessation programs are needed to assist women who cannot quit with self-help or with pharmacologic approaches.…”

Utilization of a telephone interactive voice-response tobacco cessation support service in the Islamic Republic of Iran

“…Willemsen et al in The Netherlands noted an increase in telephone contacts related to adding new European Union visual warnings on cigarette packets [22]. Studies in the USA, by Bush et al [23] and Deprey et al [24], have also shown that other incentives in the form of free nicotine replacement patches were the reason for increased contact with smoking cessation phone lines. This could be considered as an important subject in other Islamic countries in which Ramadan fasting duties provide an incentive to quit or reduce the consumption of tobacco.…”