During the summer and fall of 2000, nearly five thousand callers sought assistance in smoking cessation from the American Cancer Society’s new telephone service in Texas. All current smokers, 18 and older, who were willing to make a serious quit attempt and agreed to participate were randomized to receive either self-help materials through the mail or self-help materials and up to five sessions of telephone counseling. Approximately one in four of the callers were ready to quit and willing to be randomized. This report will present the six month follow-up findings from the first 1000 cases that were enrolled in this study. Findings to be presented will include self-reported rates of maintained cessation, bio-medical validation, medication use, interactions between treatment and medication use, level of participation, satisfaction with the service, recruitment, referral, promotion, promotion costs, and effectiveness. General population data are also available for comparison. Preliminary analyses of the three-month follow-up indicate the program is highly effective in helping smokers maintain cessation for 3 months. There are also indications of a strong interaction between treatment and medication use on cessation rates.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Control
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: American Cancer Society
medications to aid in smoking cessation will be discussed makers include:
Glaxo Wellcome,
SmithKline Beecham,
Pharmacia,
McNeil
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by the American Cancer Society as the evaluation manager for the Smokers' Quitline