Reduced NRT supplies through a quitline: smoking cessation differences

Abstract

Introduction: Quitlines (QLs) provide effective smoking cessation treatment. The most cost-effective protocol for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has not been established. The current study compares self-reported 7-day abstinence rates among light to moderate smokers (< or = 20 cigarettes per day [CPD]) when a state QL reduced NRT supplies from 8 to 4 weeks.

Methods: The study (n = 1,710) included Colorado QuitLine enrollees who requested free NRT. Analysis compared light to moderate smokers when 8- versus 4-week NRT supplies were available; the nonequivalent control group was heavy smokers (>20 CPD), who were consistently eligible for 8 weeks of NRT during the same time period.

Results: Under the reduced NRT protocol, abstinence declined by nearly one fourth among light to moderate smokers (29.9% vs. 39.3%, p < .01). Heavy smokers reported no difference in abstinence rates (28.6% vs. 28.4%, p = nonsignificant).

Discussion: Reducing NRT supplies from 8 to 4 weeks was associated with a one-fourth reduction in smoking abstinence rates among users of a state telephone QL. Future research should experimentally assess cost-effectiveness of 4- versus 8-week NRT protocols in QLs and should examine potentially mediating or moderating factors, such as history-affected expectancies regarding NRT and smoking cessation.