Public health professionals can make substantial gains in extending the reach and sustainability of quitline services by focusing on changing the purchasing behavior of state governments.  State government is usually the largest employer within a state, though often times do not provide comprehensive tobacco cessation coverage for its employees.   
 
As part of the NAQC Public –Private Partnership Initiative, a “State as an Employer” work group will launch in early December. Through the work group, NAQC will support states in their activities to promote comprehensive cessation coverage for state employees and develop cost-sharing partnerships with the state to cover the cost of state employees utilizing the state’s quitline services.
 
Work group members will participate in facilitated discussions each month to assist with the process of partnership development, specific to their states’ needs. Ideally, activities discussed during the call will then be implemented prior to the following month’s call.     
 
If your state is interested in participating in the workgroup, please email Deb Osborne, NAQC Public-Private Partnership manager at  dosborne@naquitline.org. The first work group call will be held in early December and space is limited, so please respond ASAP to secure a space.