Learning Objectives: Recognize how the addition of free nicotine replacement therapy affects helpline call volumes.
Abstract: Objective: To eliminate barriers for utilization of nicotine replacement therapy in conjunction with a telephone cessation helpline. It is well known that adding nicotine replacement to counseling for tobacco cessation increases the success of quit attempts.
Methods: The Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco added the provision of nicotine replacement therapy through its Tobacco Helpline, beginning September 3, 2002. An eight week supply of either nicotine patches or gum was directly mailed free of charge to eligible participants enrolled in the multi-session Free and Clear proactive counseling program.
Results: The registrants in the Free and Clear program increased from 227 in the entire six months preceding implementation to 7846 in the six months following implementation. The volume in September of 2002 alone was 2991, representing 38.1% of the total six month volume. There was no associated paid media promoting the availability of NRT.
Conclusions: A pent-up demand for free NRT was demonstrated by a dramatic increase in call volumes to Minnesota’s Tobacco Helpline. The demand was highest in the first month post-implementation. Volumes of calls to tobacco helplines are significantly increased when free NRT is made available. Capacity to provide service and estimates of cost should be considered prior to provision of this barrier free service.
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