State Quitlines, such as Minnesota, Maine, and New York, have experimented and used free nicotine replacement therapy to increase reach and utilization of the quitline. Few have estimated the cost- effectiveness of the free NRT offerings. This study estimated the cost effectiveness of the Oregon Tobacco Quitline’s (ORQL) Free Patch Initiative. The Free Patch Initiative consisted of three combinations of telephone counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) strategies for uninsured callers. The study was sponsored by the Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program (TPEP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The authors utilized data from three sources: Oregon State, cost data from Free & Clear (the quitline provider) and participant data. Data consisted of: quitline utilization data, cost data (media & intervention costs), annual registration data and quit rates before and after the initiative. Analyses were conducted on specific program costs and outcomes by conducting a best-case and worst-case scenario for each of the three counseling and NRT intervention strategies.
Five major findings came out of this study:
The Free Patch Initiative was a very cost effective method for increasing reach and quit rates in the Oregon uninsured population. The CEA method utilized compared what it would cost to reach the same number of Oregon residents via a paid promotional campaign. These findings are useful for state tobacco control program mangers and other decision makers, in particular during times of limited resources.
Table 1.0 Tobacco User Registration Calls to the Oregon Quitline Before and After the Free Patch Initiative