Evaluation of the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line's low-cost NRT program for the uninsured

The Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation funds the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line, a program that provides free telephone tobacco cessation counseling for Ohioans who wish to quit using tobacco products. One component of the Quit Line is a program providing low-cost nicotine replacement therapy patches to uninsured tobacco users. Through this program, uninsured Quit Line callers can purchase NRT directly from the Quit Line or redeem a personalized coupon at 2 national chain pharmacies for $25.

Utilization of the program was lower than anticipated. Fewer than 2% of uninsured tobacco users purchased NRT directly from the Quit line and data suggests that less than 20% of the pharmacy coupons are redeemed. Quantitative data related to NRT utilization, program retention, and quit rates along with qualitative data through program participant focus groups are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of this program. Key determinants of NRT utilization explored during the focus groups include cost, pharmacy location and accurate understanding of the program.