The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Phone-based counseling is highly effective and widely used for tobacco cessation. Little is known about outcomes and correlates for various age groups.

Objective: The study assessed predictors and quit outcomes among 65,053 participants enrolled in the Free & Clear phone-based tobacco cessation program between 1993 and 2004.

Methods: Predictors were measured at intake and 30-day point prevalence was measured 1-year post-enrollment. Quit rates were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression adjusting for demographics, tobacco use behaviors and number of calls.

Results: All participants were in preparation: mean age 43; 57% were female; 86% were white; 44% had high tobacco dependence; 35% smoked 21 or more cigarettes per day. Mean confidence in quitting tobacco was 8.0 and 61% made 2 to 5 previous quit attempts. Mean total calls completed was 3.6. The unadjusted 30-day respondent and intent-to-treat (ITT) abstinence rates were 36% and 27%, respectively.

Compared to participants age 19 and under, all other age groups (19 -25, 26-39, 40-65, 65+) were more likely to be quit (ITT odds ratios were 1.53 (95% CI: 1.34, 1.76), 1.47 (95% CI: 1.29, 1.67), 1.53 (95% CI: 1.34, 1.74), and 1.43 (95% CI: 1.25, 1.64), respectively). Those less likely to quit were female (OR=.77), higher in nicotine dependence (OR=.77), and who smoked 21 or more cigarettes per day (OR=.82). The odds of being quit increased by 82% for each additional call completed (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.80, 1.84).

Study results indicate phone-based counseling is effective across the lifespan.