Using NRT initiative data to inform quitline efforts

Background: In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (PA TPC), coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, funded and implemented its second initiative to distribute Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) through the Pennsylvania Free Quitline, operated by Free and Clear. Adult Quitline callers who enroll in counseling during the initiative are eligible for a 4-week starter kit of nicotine patches, regardless of insurance status. Quitline counselors administer intake and counseling protocols addressing topics such as medical contraindications to NRT, history of tobacco use, readiness to quit, health insurance benefits for additional NRT beyond the starter kit and referrals to local tobacco cessation services.

Discussion: This presentation will describe the 2010 PA Free Quitline Nicotine Replacement Therapy distribution initiative and compare it to: 2009 NRT initiative pilot data and data collected later in 2010 during periods without NRT distribution. The evaluation of this initiative will examine: media efforts, overall reach, caller demographics and quit success data. This presentation will also discuss lessons learned, recommendations for future NRT distribution initiatives, linkages between evaluation of an NRT initiative and overall Quitline evaluation, and reflections on applying evaluation results to Quitline planning efforts.