Research

Switching to smokeless tobacco as a smoking cessation method: evidence from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey
Until now, little research existed to support smokeless tobacco use as a harm reduction measure in smoking cessation. A recent study of over 300,000 men showed that an astounding 73% of smokers who switched to smokeless tobacco in their most recent quit attempt (“switchers”) were able to stop smoking. Users of the nicotine patch had a 35% quit rate, while 34% of those who used nicotine gum and 28% of those who used the nicotine inhaler quit smoking successfully. Click here to read the abstract of the study, which was published on May 23, 2008 in Harm Reduction Journal. Note: This study was supported by unrestricted grants from smokeless tobacco manufacturers to the University of Louisville (US Smokeless Tobacco Company and Swedish Match AB) and to the University of Alberta (USSTC).

Direct mail campaigns can sway smokers
Promoting a tobacco quit line with direct mailings to smokers can be an effective way to increase quit line calls, according to the results of a recent study of New York smokers. Researchers mailed postcards offering free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and information about the state quit line to the homes of 77,000 smokers. During the 15 day period after the mailing, the quit line’s call volume increased by 36%; the number of calls rose from 139 calls per day before the mailing to 189 calls per day afterward. Furthermore, callers who had received the mailing were more likely to request nicotine replacement products, evidence that the postcards raised awareness about the state’s offer of free NRT. Since direct mail is a marketing strategy cigarette companies often use to target smokers, this study suggests that direct mail might be an effective countermarketing tool. Click here for more information on the study, which was published in the journal Health Promotion Practice. Click here to read the abstract of the article.

Impact of tobacco control policies and mass media campaigns on monthly adult smoking prevalence
A study measured the effect on Australians’ smoking rates as tobacco control laws were implemented and excise taxes changed over an 11-year period. To allow the researchers to draw stronger conclusions about the effects of these tobacco control measures, the data on smoking prevalence was collected monthly, rather than annually as in most other studies. Researchers found that, controlling for other factors, raising cigarette taxes is one of the most effective ways to cut smoking rates among adults. The study also provides strong evidence that sustained exposure to tobacco control mass media campaigns can lower smoking rates; behavioral change was linked to recent anti-tobacco advertising exposure. Click here to read the abstract of the article, which was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

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Reports

Faith-based institutions give smoking cessation message to West Virginia residents (WV)
The disproportionately high smoking rate in rural West Virginia has spurred the creation of a new tobacco cessation program to study differences in cessation between rural and urban smokers. Smoking rates are high in West Virginia overall; 27% of West Virginian adults are smokers, and smoking is even more common among the state’s low-income, rural population. Along with its delivery of tailored messages, nicotine replacement therapy, and support groups, the project also works with faith-based groups to spread awareness and , an approach that is particularly successful for targeting the African American community. Click here to read the press release from the American Legacy Foundation.

The growing link between quitlines and chronic disease programs
The North American Quitline Consortium (NAQC) has released a new report on the results of its 2007 survey of state-funded tobacco quitlines. Because smoking is associated with a variety of chronic diseases, and there is a growing interest in integrating quitline services with chronic disease programs, the NAQC survey examined the existing linkages between quitlines and chronic disease programs. Of all respondents, nearly all indicated that they had developed partnerships with chronic disease programs--mostly diabetes, cancer, and asthma programs. The most common type of cooperation was promotion of quitline services to staff and clients of complementary programs. The most common benefits of these collaborations were increased quitline calls from patients with chronic diseases, and increased awareness among chronic disease program staff and clients of quitline services. Click here for the full report on the NAQC study.

Washington State provides new tobacco cessation Medicaid benefit (WA)
Medicaid coverage in Washington State expanded July 1 to include a new smoking cessation benefit. The new benefit, which is available through the Washington Tobacco Quit Line, represents a major advancement in public health for the state. Free services available for clients through the Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.quitline.com) include: phone counseling and follow-up support calls; nicotine patches or gum, if appropriate; prescription medications recommended by a quit line counselor and prescribed by individual physicians, if appropriate. The Washington Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Control Program is collaborating with the state Department of Social and Health Services to promote the new benefit. For more information, contact Julie Thompson at (360) 236-3722 or juliet.thompson@doh.wa.gov.

Quitting smoking just got tougher (SC)
After state lawmakers were unable to pass a fifty-cent cigarette tax increase, budget cuts will leave South Carolina’s tobacco prevention programs under funded. As of July 1, the state will completely stop funding tobacco control. A federal grant will allow the state’s quitline to provide minimal coverage, which will no longer include free nicotine patches and gum for callers. Although South Carolina has received $364 million in tobacco settlement money, only $5.4 million of that money has been spent on tobacco control, according to the Office of State Budget. The state would need to spend eleven times that amount in order to meet CDC tobacco control funding recommendations. For more information, click here.

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Resources

NAQC Policy Playbook: A guide to promoting quitlines during a policy change
The North American Quitline Consortium has released this new resource to promote the availability of quitline services as more and more smoke-free laws and tobacco taxes are implemented nationwide. The playbook includes practical tools to assist with the integration of quitline promotion and policy change. The ideas and strategies are intended to encourage states and municipalities to incorporate quitlines into the implementation activities surrounding smokefree laws and to identify opportunities to promote the quitline during tobacco tax increases. The playbook is intended to complement the policy-oriented Toolkit for Implementing Smoke-free Laws (www.goingsmokefree.org). Click here to access the playbook on the NAQC website.

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