Taking Action to Increase Calls to Quitlines and Enrollment in Cessation Services!

Dear Members,

NAQC’s recent report describes the unprecedented decrease in quitline calls through 1-800-QUIT-NOW during 2020. We know about 70% of smokers want to quit but fewer than ever called their state quitlines for help. Why is that? We know the pandemic created stress and anxiety related to health concerns, economic security concerns and housing concerns. It is likely that smokers experienced a decrease in confidence that they would be able to quit, competing priorities for time and emotional capital, lack of encouragement and support from the right person or group, and not hearing enough messages or a message that aligns with their viewpoint.

If we hope to see quitline call volume increase this year, we will need to take actions to support smokers and encourage them to quit.

Here are some ideas to consider:

NEW TOOLS

• I COVID Quit. The Smoking Cessation Leadership Center will officially launch its new social media campaign, “I COVID Quit” in a webinar of March 31^st at 1 pm ET. NAQC encourages you to attend the webinar and consider using this new tool to encourage smokers with behavioral health conditions to quit due to the serious consequences COVID presents, not to mention the many other benefits to their overall health. During the webinar, you will get the first look at campaign materials and learn how you can help promote this message via your organization’s social media channels. Register here.
• Learning Community on Technology-mediated Services for Quitlines. NAQC’s new Learning Community met on February 19 and heard from a panel of experts on technology. Ideas for using technology to increase the reach of quitlines were discussed. A recording of the meeting, summary and other materials are available here.
• AJPM Supplement on The Role of Quitlines in Tobacco Cessation. The CDC sponsored a supplement on Tobacco Cessation Quitlines in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published March 1^st. The supplement includes a dozen articles, many of which describe studies and successes in increasing reach of quitlines in general or to specific populations. The supplement is available here.

• State promotional activities. 24 states reported promotional activities related to quitting and COVID-19 in this year’s annual survey. We will be sharing the lessons learned in upcoming fact sheets and the May 5th annual survey webinar. Register here. 
• Listserv postings. We encourage you to ask questions and post lessons you have learned on ways to promote quitting during the pandemic to the NAQC listserv. It is easy to use (see instructions here)!

OTHER IDEAS

Please send us your comments and ideas for increasing the number of smokers who are seeking help in quitting.

We look forward to working with you on this important issue!

Sincerely,

Linda Bailey, JD, MHS
President and CEO
North American Quitline Consortium