Treating Smokeless Tobacco Use in Rural Veterans

Treating Smokeless Tobacco Use in Rural Veterans

This is a pilot study designed in an effort to develop and improve access to effective treatments for tobacco use in rural Veterans using a tailored intervention approach. Specifically, we will evaluate a combined behavioral and pharmacological smokeless tobacco cessation which concomitantly addresses comorbid issues commonly experienced by rural tobacco users including elevated depressive symptoms, risky alcohol use, and concerns about weight gain. The objectives are to:

1. Evaluate the feasibility of an individually-tailored telephone intervention for rural smokeless tobacco users
2. Examine the impact of the intervention on treatment utilization, patient satisfaction, and smokeless tobacco cessation.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Use smokeless tobacco on a daily basis
2. Be willing to make a quit attempt in the next 30 days
3. Reside in a rural location
4. Receiving care through the Iowa City VA Health Care System or an affiliated community-based outpatient clinic
5. Able to provide informed consent
6. Telephone access
7. Stable residence

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Planning to move in the next 12 months
2. Terminal illness
3. Unstable psychiatric disorder
4. Incarcerated
5. Institutionalized