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Nicotine & Tobacco Research Advance Access originally published online on May 25, 2009
Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2009 11(7):904-907; doi:10.1093/ntr/ntp085
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Maine's Tobacco Medication Program: Compliance, patterns of use, and satisfaction among smokers

Cindy Tworek, Amy Haskins and Susan Woods

Cindy Tworek, Ph.D., M.P.H., Center for Tobacco Independence, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
Amy Haskins, Ph.D., Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
Susan Woods, M.D., M.P.H., Center for Tobacco Independence, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME

Corresponding Author: Cindy Tworek, Ph.D., M.P.H., Department of Pharmaceutical Systems & Policy, School of Pharmacy, Translational Tobacco Reduction Program, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, PO Box 9510, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. Telephone: 304-293-0228; Fax: 304-293-2529; E-mail: ctworek{at}hsc.wvu.edu


  Abstract

Introduction: In 2002, Maine's Tobacco HelpLine began offering free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), including patch and/or gum, to uninsured adult smokers without NRT benefits. This study assessed compliance, NRT use patterns, and satisfaction among smokers calling the HelpLine and using free NRT.

Methods: Telephone surveys were conducted in June–July 2005 among a sample of 541 eligible HelpLine callers authorized for NRT between February and March 2005, with 393 complete interviews (72.6% response rate). Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were conducted, including tests for significant differences by demographics and NRT utilization.

Results: Half of study respondents were aware of free NRT before calling the HelpLine and 95% reported NRT at least somewhat influenced their decision to call. Almost all respondents reported picking up NRT, had no problems obtaining it, and reported using it during a serious quit attempt. Most respondents reported uninterrupted NRT use without side effects and a mean duration of use at 39 days. A majority of respondents were very satisfied with their overall experience (88.2%) and reported this process as "very helpful" in their quit attempt (65.6%).

Discussion: Maine's NRT service model effectively encouraged smokers to contact the HelpLine and use NRT, demonstrating valuable opportunity for quitlines to provide NRT access and increase demand among motivated smokers.

Received: July 17, 2008; Accepted: March 27, 2009

Present address: Cindy Tworek, Ph.D., M.P.H., School of Pharmacy & Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Susan Woods, M.D., M.P.H., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR


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