Research

Public confused about nicotine replacement therapy
A recent survey revealed the confusion that exists in the population about nicotine and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). As many as 82% of those surveyed believed that nicotine causes cancer and is the substance in cigarettes that stains teeth and fingers. Additionally, many respondents felt that use of nicotine replacement therapy to quit was replacing one addiction with another. This confusion may be a deterrent from NRT use for many trying to quit. Click to read more of the myths regarding nicotine and nicotine replacement therapy.

Effect of social norms on cessation
Social norms are important factors in smoking cessation according to a recent report in Preventive Medicine (2005 Jul; 41(1):186-93). Researchers surveyed over 3,400 participants and looked at their perception of norms and beliefs of their social circles. Findings indicate that those who think the people around them do not approve of smoking have tried to quit and had more success in quitting. Click to access the full text of the article.

74 percent of insurance plans cover cessation
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin- Madison Center for Tobacco Research have found that 74% of insurance plans include some sort of coverage for smoking cessation assistance. The 2004 number marks a significant increase from 2002, when only 56% covered cessation methods. Bupropion and nicotine patches are the most commonly covered treatments. Those companies that did not cover cessation methods stated that they feared that people would leave their jobs before they would see the return on investment. Click for further information.

Baby-Beep program at University of Missouri to help pregnant women quit
The University of Missouri – Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing is conducting a study of an intervention designed to help at-risk pregnant women stop smoking. The intervention offers the women 24 hour free phone access to a nurse. Participants are encouraged to call the line when they are stressed and tempted to smoke. A follow up program, Baby Beep for Kids, has just been funded and offers similar services to mothers of young children. Click for details of the program.

Doctors not following through on offering assistance with cessation
A survey of over 4,000 smokers indicates that physicians aren’t offering cessation advice to smoking patients. The survey, performed by Kaiser Permanente HMO and other nonprofit HMOs in California, assessed the effectiveness of the 5As system designed by USPHS for doctors. Although about 90% were asked about their smoking habit, only about half were offered any assistance in quitting. Those smokers who asked for assistance were far more likely to receive information and advice on quitting; however, only about 30% of surveyed smokers indicated that they have asked for assistance. The results are published in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Click for more information.

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ACS working with insurance company to help clients quit
The Principal Financial Group and the American Cancer Society have teamed up to provide Quitline services to all Principal Insurance holders. All members will be able to receive counseling and follow-up, cessation materials and resources, and information on other smoking aids by calling the ACS Quitline. This is the first partnership of its kind and the Principal Group considers it an investment in the health of its members and positive way to keep health care costs down. Click for additional information.

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Kansas:
 
Kansas and ACS partner for state Quitline
The Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) and the American Cancer Society have joined forces to offer smokers in the state a free resource to stop smoking. By calling the 24-hour a day, toll-free Tobacco Quitline, (1-866-KAN-STOP) residents can access counselors and cessation guidance. Kansas started Quitline services in November of 2003 and over 1,000 citizens have used the program to help quit. Click to view the state’s press release.

Kentucky:
 
Kentucky introduces Quitline
On July 1st, the same date a tobacco tax increase took effect in the state, Kentucky launched its smoking cessation Quitline. The Quitline is part of the national 1-800 QUIT NOW network and will forwards Kentucky callers directly to the Kentucky line. The program offers information on addiction and quitting along with access to trained cessation counselors. The Quitline is one of several initiatives by the state to reduce smoking rates in Kentucky, which has the highest smoking rate in the country. Click for more information.

Minnesota:
 
Minnesota to open six cessation clinics
The Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco (MPAAT) Board of Directors has approved two grants for new QUITPLAN tobacco treatment centers. The Park Nicollet Institute and the University of Minnesota Physicians (UMP) health care system received the funding to establish six new cessation clinics in Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, St. Louis Park and Minnetonka. QUITPLAN Centers provide personal counseling and tools for quitting smoking. Click for the full story. More information can be found at the MPAAT website.

Missouri:
 
Missouri introduces Quitline
Missouri residents can now get free assistance in their attempts to quit smoking. The state introduced a tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT NOW) for residents to receive counseling, cessation materials and help creating a quit plan.

North Carolina:
 
North Carolina introduces quitline
Calling 1-800 QUIT NOW in North Carolina will now get residents interactive cessation services. The new services will include direct contact with a trained cessation counselor and discounts on cessation aids.

Ohio:
 
Ohio partners with health plans to help residents quit
Through partnerships with four health plans, the Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation will offer $1 million worth of cessation products to Ohioans trying to quit. Included in the quit services are counseling sessions accessed through the Quitline and 8 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy patches. The patches were purchased at half price directly from GlaxoSmithKline; half of the $4 million cost is covered by the Foundation and the other half is covered by the insurance companies. To be eligible for the free patches, one must be covered by one of the associated health plans, including Medicaid. Click for more details on the program.

Oklahoma:
 
Oklahoma changes quitline number
In order to be consistent with other states around the country and to benefit from the national publicity of 1-800-QUIT NOW, Oklahoma has changed its Quitline number. The same quit services are available and the old number remains in service, forwarding calls to the new number.

South Carolina:
 
State employees in South Carolina to receive cessation services
South Carolina’s state employees will begin receiving assistance to quit smoking through their health plans beginning next year. The new coverage includes a free tobacco cessation program and nicotine replacement therapy. Click for additional information.

Washington:
 
Washington quitline calls erupt with “Stick it to Kick it” promotion
The Washington State Department of Health’s “Stick it to Kick it” promotion resulted in an 80% increase in the number of calls to the Washington Tobacco Quit Line from the young adult target audience in the first three months of 2005. There were 1,355 calls made by 18- to 29-year-olds during the three-month period, compared to 749 such calls from October to December 2004. Through June, Washington smokers between the ages of 18 to 29 could enroll in a free program to quit using tobacco, including nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine gum or a patch) and counseling. The campaign resulted from a $162,000 enhancement grant the Department of Health received from CDC. The CDC recently extended funding of the grant, and a new campaign is under development. For more information, contact Julie Thompson at 360-236-3722 or julie.thompson@doh.wa.gov.

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