Learning Objectives: Identify three important practical issues to consider when implementing a state quit line.
Abstract: In the fall of 2000, the State of Utah worked with contractor Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound to implement one of the nation’s first quit lines targeting teenagers. The Utah Teen Quit Line is a statewide, toll-free, telephone-based resource available to all Utah teens interested in quitting tobacco use. The quit line provides tailored services based on callers’ interests and readiness to quit. Implementation of the Utah Teen Quit Line required Utah to consider several practical issues including: 1. Who to target, why, and with what services; 2. Legal and ethical considerations, including whether or not parental permission was needed, if pharmacotherapies should be offered, and identify when referrals were appropriate; 3. How to effectively market available services.
The decisions Utah made regarding these factors were driven by Utah laws, available funding, input from Department of Health attorneys, and input from our media and quit line contractors. Based on these factors, we chose to target youth 14-19 years of age, not provide pharmacotherapies, and not require parental consent. We also worked with our contractor to develop protocols for referrals in case of crisis situations. Over the first year of operation, we found teen calls were most responsive to television advertising; however we also recognized the importance of peer-based marketing strategies, and enlisted the help of Utah’s youth advocates in promoting the line. To date, over 1,500 Utah teens have called the Utah Teen Quit Line. At 6-months post-intervention, self-reported quit rates and satisfaction with quit line services were high.
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