Sampling NRT for Cessation Induction: Is Motivation Necessary?

Audience: Researchers interested in novel cessation induction programs.

Key Points: A basic premise underlying smoking interventions is that active treatments are best delivered to treatment seeking (motivated) smokers.  We recently completed a nationwide clinical trial and found that delivering samples of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to unmotivated smokers produced an increase in quitting behaviors.  While these findings challenge the notion that motivation is critical, few studies have directly compared delivery of pharmacological treatment to motivated and unmotivated smokers.  We will report on the outcomes of the first direct test of NRT sampling among and between groups of motivated and unmotivated smokers.  In this ongoing pilot clinical trial, smokers who want to quit in the next 30 days will receive a 2week supply of NRT + quitline referral (n=50). Smokers not wanting to quit in the next 30 days will receive the same 2wk supply of NRT + quitline referral (n=50) or quitline referral only (n=50). Participants are tracked via telephone over a 3month follow-up period.  Results will be available for the August meeting and based on outcomes at 1month follow-up.  Outcomes to be reported include quit attempts, cessation, use of additional treatment and hypothesized measures of mechanism (motivation).

Educational Experience: Findings will help guide the development of brief, novel cessation induction programs.

Benefits: If NRT sampling can engage unmotivated smokers into the quitting process and further engage motivated smokers into evidence-based methods of quitting, then this will provide support for wider usage of this brief and easily administered treatment approach.