Effect of offering different levels of support and free nicotine replacement therapy via an English national telephone quitline: randomised controlled trial

• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.e1696
• Publication Date: 2012-03-24T05:36:34Z
• Authors: J. Ferguson; G. Docherty; L. Bauld; S. Lewis; P. Lorgelly; K. A. Boyd; A. McEwen; T. Coleman
• Keywords: Quitline; Nicotine replacement therapy; Telephone counseling

<b>Objective</b> To compare the effects of free nicotine replacement therapy or proactive telephone counselling in addition to standard smoking cessation support offered through a quitline. <b>Design</b> Parallel group, 2×2 factorial, randomised controlled trial. <b>Setting</b> National quitline, England. <b>Participants</b> 2591 non-pregnant smokers aged 16 more residing England who called quitline between February 2009 and 2010 agreed set quit date: 648 were each support, with therapy, 647 therapy. <b>Interventions</b> Two interventions support: six weeks' provided free, sessions (repeat calls from, interaction with, advisors). <b>Main outcome measures</b> The primary was self reported for months after date. secondary validated by exhaled carbon monoxide measured at months. <b>Results</b> At months, 17.7% (n=229) those compared 20.1% (n=261) not such (odds ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.70 1.04), 18.2% (n=236) 19.6% (n=254) (0.91, 0.75 1.11). Data readings changed findings only, 6.6% (85/1295) 9.4% (122/1296) (0.67, 0.50 0.90). <b>Conclusions</b> Offering additional (proactive) helpline had no effect on cessation. <b>Trial registration</b> ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00775944.