Promoting Tobacco and Cancer Control: Message Framing for Telephone Quitline Callers

Trial Information

Promoting Tobacco and Cancer Control: Message Framing for Telephone Quitline Callers

This pilot study is meant to be translational (i.e., we expect that positive study results
could easily translate to the actual practices of the NYS Smokers' Quitline) - as much as
possible, we will follow the standard practices of the Quitline. In this context, a
randomized pilot clinical trial comparing exclusively "Yale coaching" counseling + "Yale"
print materials (YC condition) to standard care Quitline counseling + standard print
materials (SC condition) will be conducted with individuals calling the NYS Smokers'
Quitline for assistance in quitting smoking. Following assessment of eligibility and
informed consent, 2,500 smokers will be assisted by Specialists in either the YC or SC
experimental conditions.

Consistent with the current practices of the Quitline, following the counseling
intervention, participants will be mailed a package containing print materials encouraging
smoking cessation, and participants eligible for NRT will receive a 2-week supply of
nicotine replacement medication. Consistent with Quitline practices, all callers will be
required to set a "quit date" within 2 weeks of their initial call. A Quitline Specialist
will initiate a follow-up call approximately 10 to 14 days after the print materials and NRT
has been mailed. For callers receiving NRT, the manufacturer's suggested course of therapy
(e.g., 8 weeks of NRT) will be recited to callers, and Quitline Specialists will suggest
that callers use the money they save from not smoking to purchase additional NRT and/or that
they check with their insurance carrier to see if additional NRT would be covered.

Participants will be assessed before receiving the "Yale coaching" counseling or standard
care counseling, immediately after receiving counseling, approximately 1 week after their
quit date for those who receive NRT, and at a 3-month follow-up to see if the YC counseling
and YC print materials, as predicted, are more likely to promote smoking cessation. We will
also administer several brief measures that assess potential mediators of treatment.