Quitline Use and Effectiveness Among Young Adults

Zhang, Lei

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Exhibit Hall (Kansas City Convention Center)

Dr. Lei Zhang, PhD , NCCDPHP: Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Ann Malarcher, PhD , Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

Ms. Jennifer Bombard, MSPH , Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Vance Rabius, PhD , University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:

• Describe characteristics, service utilization, self-reported quit rates and predictors of quitting among young adults (18-24 year old) and older adults enrolled in smoking cessation quitlines.

Cross Cutting Program Area(s): Evaluation and Surveillance

Audience: Quitline providers, health care providers and tobacco control programs

Key Points: In this analysis, we compared caller characteristics, quitline service utilization and quit rates between young adults aged 18-24 year-olds and older adults (25 years and older) who were enrolled in American Cancer Society quitline services during 2006-2008. Our results show that predictors of quitting were similar for both young and older adults. Being male, having higher levels of education, having received two or more counseling sessions from the quitline, and having a higher level of self-efficacy were significantly associated with higher quit rates. In addition, both young and older adult smokers were less likely to quit if they lived with a smoker (this effect was stronger for young adults). Finally, self-reported 30-day quit rates at 7 months after enrollment were similar for young adult smokers (25.5%) and older adult smokers (28.0%), (p=0.17).

Educational Experience:

Our analysis suggests that quitlines can be as effective in helping young adult smokers quit as they are for older smokers. Since young adult smokers are less likely to quit than older adults if they lived with a smoker, quitlines may use this information to tailor their services to address this important source of influence on smoking cessation among young adults. Lastly, quitlines should continue focusing outreach efforts to young adult smokers through all sources, especially referrals from family/friends and health care providers.

Benefits:

The session will provide the audience with information on quitline use and cessation outcomes among young adult smokers.

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