Combination of free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy significantly increases odds of quitting

New research findings released in the August 2006 edition of the journal Tobacco Control demonstrate clearly that providing smokers with access to free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum, significantly increases their odds of quitting.

The study looked at the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco's QUITPLAN Helpline as a case study.

Through QUITPLAN services, Minnesota is one of only ten states that offer free counseling and NRT to tobacco users. In Minnesota, the addition of free NRT to the QUITPLAN Helpline resulted in increased program participation and cessation rates that nearly doubled.

"We know that reducing smoking saves lives and that the majority of smokers want to quit," said Dr. Lawrence An, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota's Medical School and the principal author of the study. "The challenge is connecting smokers who want to quit with the proven tools that will help them be successful. The key finding of this study is that the offer of NRT not only increased the number of smokers who sought help, but produced a dramatic increase in the number of people who were successful in quitting. The bottom line is that offering NRT as part of a state helpline is a win-win policy."

The study compared helpline results before and after the introduction of NRT. After the offer of NRT, the approximate number of callers to the helpline increased by more than 500 per month. There were large increases in the proportion of callers who used NRT and who enrolled in the multi-session counseling program. The rate of successful quitting nearly doubled from 10 percent to over 18 percent.

In September 2002, MPAAT began providing free NRT to helpline callers. Since then, MPAAT has continued to expand its efforts to help Minnesotans quit. Currently, QUITPLAN services include phone or in-person counseling, online support and resources, workplace group counseling sessions and culturally-specific programs.

"This study confirms that QUITPLAN services have developed a successful formula to help Minnesotans quit," said Dr. Ann Wendling, MPAAT's Director of Intervention. "MPAAT is proud to provide Minnesotans with one of the nation's most comprehensive cessation programs. QUITPLAN services can serve as a model for other states and countries for how to help more tobacco users quit and lead healthier lives."

In May, MPAAT celebrated the fifth anniversary of its QUITPLAN services. To date, QUITPLAN services have helped 7,803 Minnesotans quit smoking and saved Minnesotans more than $24.3 million in health care costs.

"Treating Minnesotans made sick by tobacco use costs over $1 billion each year. Adding NRT to quit line services is a cost effective way to improve public health and save scarce health care resources," concluded Dr. An.

MPAAT is an independent, non-profit organization that improves the health of Minnesotans by reducing the harm caused by tobacco. MPAAT serves Minnesota through its grant-making program, QUITPLAN stop-smoking services and statewide outreach activities. It is funded with three percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement.

http://www.mpaat.org and http://www.tobaccocontrol.com