Characteristics and abstinence outcomes among tobacco quitline enrollees using varenicline or nicotine replacement therapy.

Introduction: Telephone counseling through quitlines combined with cessation medication is an effective strategy to support tobacco cessation. This study assessed the characteristics of quitline enrollees selecting varenicline (Chantix) compared with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) medication and evaluated the cessation outcomes (7-day point prevalence) among these enrollees at 3 and 6 months after program completion.

Methods: A retrospective study analyzed demographic, tobacco use history, and abstinence outcome information of participants who enrolled in the Montana Tobacco Quit Line program and selected varenicline (n = 3,116) or NRT (n = 3,697).

Tobacco quitline use: enhancing benefit and increasing abstinence.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the impact on the quitline utilization and abstinence rates of increasing a free nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) benefit from 4 weeks to 6 weeks.

Methods: Intake data were utilized to assess the number of callers to the quitline during the time period in which 4 weeks of free NRT was provided (January-November 2006) and the time period of the enhanced NRT benefit (December 2006-June 2007). Abstinence rates at 3 and 6 months were calculated for people utilizing the quitline program during both time periods.

Utilization of a tobacco quit line prior to and after a tobacco tax increase.

Objective: To evaluate the utilization of a tobacco quit line prior to and after an increase in tobacco taxes.

Methods: Intake data were utilized to assess the number of callers to the quit line between May 2004 and April 2006. The characteristics of callers were also compared over three time periods; the 5 months prior to a voter initiative to increase the tax (May-September 2004), the 3 months just prior to the tax increase (October-December 2004), and the 5 months after the tax became effective (January-May 2005).