Long-Term Effectiveness of a Quitline for Smoking Cessation: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Plain Language SummarySmoking is a major global health problem, causing many preventable deaths and disabilities each year. Telephone counselling is a recommended method to help people quit smoking because it provides accessible support. This study examined the long-term effectiveness of the national German Smokers Quitline. Daily smokers who wanted to quit smoking were divided into two groups. One group received up to six phone calls from the national German Smokers Quitline, the other group received a self-help brochure. We measured how many participants stopped smoking for at least 7 days 12 months after the start of the intervention (7-day point prevalence of abstinence). We assessed long-term cigarette and tobacco abstinence, i.e., how many participants abstained from cigarettes/tobacco for a period of 9 months after the start of the intervention. We also examined the use of other cessation aids. A total of 905 participants took part in the study. The telephone counselling group had higher rates of long-term cigarette (31.7% vs. 17.8%) and tobacco abstinence (30.8% vs. 15.2%) compared to the other group. The odds of quitting were significantly higher in the telephone counselling group. However, the 7-day point prevalence of abstinence did not differ between the groups. Many participants used additional cessation aids, with e-cigarettes being the most common. In conclusion, telephone counselling provided by the national German Smokers Quitline is effective in helping people quit smoking long term. Increasing its awareness could improve smoking cessation rates in Germany. Counselling should include information about the risks and benefits of new nicotine consumer products.