The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: To demonstrate the acceptability and effectiveness of proactively offering subsidized nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to low-income smokers in the community. The trial aimed to assess the likely impact of a policy decision to subsidise NRT for low-income smokers.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial of smokers on low income (holding Australian Government concession cards) offering 12 weeks of Quitline counselling (control arm) or 12 weeks of Quitline counselling plus 75%-off the regular retail price of NRT. Residents in low socioeconomic areas of South Australia were “cold-mailed” invitations to participate in the trial. Randomisation occurred at the time of mail out.

Results: Invitations to participate were distributed in equal numbers but interest in the intervention arm (n=950) far outweighed the control arm (n=408). Results will be presented on: ‘compliance' with the intervention, in terms of completion of counselling and NRT; participants' opinions of the merits of the idea and satisfaction with the service; and 3 month quit rates. Implications for policy (offering widespread NRT) will be discussed in light of the size of benefit over usual practice and cost.