Problem/Objective: From January 2005 to January 2006, the Washington State Tobacco Quitline (QL) offered a five-call proactive counseling service that included eight weeks of free NRT to 18-29 year olds willing to set a quit date within the next month or needing help staying quit. Previously, 18-29 year olds eligible for this intervention were mostly low income. Our objective was to describe changes in call volume and quit rates associated with this service enhancement.

Methods: We examined monthly calls to the QL from 2004 through 2005. Using data from a 3-month follow-up telephone survey, we compared 18-29 year olds who called the QL during July 2004 to December 2004 (Pre-Enhancement period, n = 115) to those who called during January 2005 to May 2005 (Post-Enhancement period, n = 222).

Results: In 2004 before the enhancement, the monthly number of 18-29 year old smokers calling the QL remained stable. After the enhancement began in 2005, QL calls increased dramatically among 18-29 year olds. The seven-day quit rate at three months among young adults increased from 21% in the Pre-Enhancement period to 38% in the Post-Enhancement period (p = 0.014). Survey data suggested more young adults with incomes of at least $20,000 called the QL after the enhancement began, likely because the eligibility criteria for free NRT expanded to include young adults with private insurance.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that states wanting to increase QL call volume and quit rates among young adults should consider offering them free NRT.