A Cost-effectiveness Study of Nicotine Patches Distributed Through a Quitline

A Cost-effectiveness Study of Nicotine Patches Distributed Through a Quitline

The study is to understand whether distribution of two different supplies of nicotine patches through a telephone quitline has an effect on quit rates. The two different supplies are four vs. eight (in two separate four-week mailings) weeks of nicotine patches. The hypothesis is that eight weeks will be slightly more efficacious but four weeks will be more cost-effective.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All callers to the Colorado QuitLine who report currently smoking 16-20 cigarettes
• who enroll in QuitLine services
• who do not require physician approval to obtain nicotine replacement therapy
• who are willing to receive the nicotine patch

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to receiving the nicotine patch through the QuitLine without physician approval include: history of hearth disease (heart attack, chest pain, or coronary artery disease), high blood pressure, pregnancy, skin conditions such as difficult to manage psoriasis or eczema, or history of a local reaction to the nicotine patch
• those who do not complete the call in English