Below are links to essential resources, updates on upcoming activities, and key website features tailored to support your success!

Best and Promising Practices

• Update on the Adoption of Priority Practices for State Quitlines
  

Partnership and Media Opportunities

• Highlights and Takeaways for the Quitline Community from the Surgeon General’s Report
• Optimizing the Interplay between Tobacco Product Regulation and Quitline Services: Opportunities for Innovation and Partnership

Lung Cancer Screening Training

• Project ENGAGE: Training TTSs on use of a Patient Decision Aid on Lung Cancer Screening

Research and Evaluation

• Findings from the 2023 Annual Survey
• Updated Quitline Call and Texting Portal Data

Quitline Sustainability

• Discussion Groups and Technical Assistance on Quitline Sustainability and Cost-Sharing Partnerships
• New Case Studies and Lessons Learned on State and Medicaid Partnerships
• Next Steps

Top Webpages and Web Features You Should Know About

• Improvements to the Map of State and Provincial Quitlines
• Peer-to-Peer Communications through the NEW ListServ and Membership Directory (members-only)
• Career Center
• Orientation/Refresher Sessions

Best and Promising Practices 

Update on the Adoption of Priority Practices for State Quitlines
In December 2022, NAQC released the report “Priority Practices for State Quitlines to Implement by June 2023” which identified the following six priority practices for state quitlines:

A. Counseling
1. Offer proactive telephone counseling. 
2. Offer tailored texting service. 
3. Provide tailored web-based service. 
4. Offer tailored counseling for adults who use e-cigarettes.  

B. Cessation Medications
5. Offer cessation medications. 

C. Increasing Reach
6. Offer a range of referral options. 

NAQC surveyed state quitlines about their adoption of the six priority practices in the FY2023 Annual Survey of State Quitlines. Twenty-one state quitlines indicated that they had adopted all six priority practices. Twenty-six state quitlines had adopted five of the six priority practices. The cessation medications practice had the lowest adoption rate at 40%. The chart below shows the adoption rate of each practice.

Source: FY23 Annual Survey, n=53 quitlines

Technology: NAQC’s learning community resulted in final recommendations for technology-mediated services, “Recommended Best and Promising Practices on Technology-Mediated Services for Quitlines,” in the areas of texting and web-based services. As of fiscal year 2023, 91% of state and territorial quitlines had adopted all four recommended practices regarding technology-mediated services.

Highlights and Takeaways for the Quitline Community from the Surgeon General’s Report
The release of the Surgeon General’s report titled Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities, provides another great opportunity to illuminate the importance of our work together. While the US has made progress in reducing tobacco use in the overall population, advancements have not been equally distributed across all US population groups. Disparities in commercial tobacco product use, exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, exposure to marketing of tobacco products and smoking-related health outcomes persist by race and ethnicity, level of income, level of education, sexual orientation, gender identity, type of occupation, geography, and behavioral health status. 

Quitlines increase access to commercial tobacco use treatment and can reduce disparities. We have developed an infographic and an executive summary which provide key findings and highlights for the quitline community from the report. You can find these new resources as well as a recording from the webinar highlighting main takeaways from the SGR report for the quitline community on a NAQC webpage. Please feel free to share the link with your colleagues and staff and check back to the webpage as more information will be added regularly.

Optimizing the Interplay between Tobacco Product Regulation and Quitline Services: Opportunities for Innovation and Partnership
In September, NAQC was joined by Dr. Brian King, Director, Center for Tobacco Products at FDA, in a discussion about the interplay between FDA tobacco product regulation and quitline services, including NAQC's role in facilitating opportunities for innovation with provision of smoking cessation services and reaching priority populations. Please view the slides and recording here.

Lung Cancer Screening

Project ENGAGE: Training TTSs on use of a Patient Decision Aid on Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose computed tomography has the potential to save 12,000 lives in the United States each year, but a very low proportion of people who are eligible for screening receive it. Tobacco treatment specialists (TTSs) work with many people who use tobacco and who are eligible for lung cancer screening, but may not be aware of screening and may not have been engaged in assisting their clients in having a discussion with their healthcare provider about screening.

Project ENGAGE, draws from several key evidence-based learning platforms, including Project CONNECT decision aid,  to create an innovative new on-line training module for Tobacco treatment Specialists - Conversations that Save Lives: How Tobacco Treatment Specialists can Engage Clients in a Discussion about Lung Cancer Screening. This module educates TTSs on LCS and builds their skills on helping their clients make well-informed decisions about screening. A 10-person Advisory Group guided the development of this course and is comprised of a TTS client, scientists, professionals with expertise in training, and TTS stakeholder organizations. Collaborators include the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, CHEST, The Association for Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence, the Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs, the North American Quitline Consortium, three TTS trainers and a client who was helped by TTSs.

Register to take the course today!
Cost: FREE
Time Commitment: Approximately 60 minutes
Intended Audience: Tobacco Treatment Specialists
Format: Asynchronous online; take the course at your own pace
Certificate: Certificate of completion provided
CE: This program is approved by the Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs to award 1 continuing education contact hour for tobacco treatment providers who successfully complete the program. This training is accredited for tobacco training specialist (TTS) only.

Help us share information about the new Project ENGAGE online course on your website, via communication channels, and social media
accounts. The Media Kit is located here. 

Research and Evaluation

Findings from the 2023 Annual Survey
Since 2004, NAQC has conducted an annual survey of quitlines in North America. The information collected in the survey advances our understanding of quitline operations and services. The survey collects information on quitline financing, counseling interventions, medication provision, utilization, and evaluation. Aggregate results are shared with the quitline community and partners and help achieve NAQC's mission of monitoring overall progress of quitlines and promoting evidence based quitline services across diverse communities in North America.

2023 survey results were released and include current data on quitline investment, efforts to reach groups experiencing disparities, and impact. The 2024 survey is currently in the field and results will be released in the summer.

Updated Quitline Call and Texting Portal Data
NAQC has improved how we catalog monthly national cessation service data and trends. Data from NCI and NAQC trend analyses for 1-800 QUIT NOW and the National Texting Portal are available for members to view on our website through the July service period. Visit the updated webpage to explore current and past reports. For more information about National Cessation Services Portals and data, visit https://smokefree.gov/about-us/cessation-services-data.

Quitline Sustainability

Discussion Groups and Technical Assistance on Quitline Sustainability and Cost-Sharing Partnerships
Cost-Sharing Group Meetings generally occur via Zoom on a monthly basis. While presentations are provided from time to time, the purpose of the discussions is peer learning. States share updates on their work with Medicaid, State as Employer, Commercial Insurers, Self-insured Employers, or their work in changing eligibility to advance public private partnerships. 

In the last five years, thirty-two states engaged in training, technical assistance, or participated in the sustainability workgroup on topics including private-public partnerships with NAQC staff. At least eight states developed one or more cost-sharing partnerships with public or private payers and/or changed eligibility to prioritize services to high-risk populations during the five-year period.

We would like to remind you about the three videos in NAQC’s new orientation series on quitline cost-sharing partnerships that are available online. Recordings are no more than 20 minutes in length and include an Overview of the Cost-Sharing Partnership Process, a tutorial on the State Cessation Environmental Assessment Tool, and an Overview of Medicaid Partnership Options. Each video is accompanied by supporting resources.  

Individual technical assistance is available to any state wishing to obtain guidance on their plans or approach. Topics may include environmental assessment, relationship building, making a business case, or other similar topics. Some states choose to engage on a regular, periodic basis, while others engage on an as needed basis. From time to time, states may bring other health department staff, or their Medicaid colleagues or others to the TA session. States generally set at least one public private partnership goal for the year.

As we broaden the focus from cost-sharing partnerships to developing a sustainable model for quitline services, we would like to ask you to consider participating. This group will meet regularly and you can contact Joyce Swetlick (jswetlick@naquitline.org) if you are interested in becoming a member. 

New Case Studies and Lessons Learned on State and Medicaid Partnerships
Building a case for partnerships, building relationships, and persistence are vital to developing a partnership between Quitlines and Medicaid. Once established, sustaining the partnership, ensure correct services are provided, and ensure accurate reimbursement is required. A collection of case studies and lessons learned was developed from four states (South Carolina, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire) highlighting the changing landscape and lessons learned within each state to provide others with reflections on overcoming challenges and more smoothly implementing partnerships with.

Next Steps
Shifting from cost-sharing partnerships to a sustainable model for quitline services involves optimizing resources, diversifying funding, and broadening collaboration. Engaging both traditional cost-sharing partners and new stakeholders across public health, healthcare, and tobacco control strengthens referral networks and long-term support. Leveraging tobacco control policies and engaging decision-makers further secures sustainable funding and expands service reach, ensuring ongoing operations and growth. This group will meet regularly to expand topics on sustainability.

Top Webpages and Web Features You Should Know About

Improvements to the Map of State and Provincial Quitlines
Significant updates were made to the most visited NAQC web resource - Quitline Map. Public health and healthcare professionals, researchers, and consumers regularly use the map to get up-to-date information about state quitlines and to learn how to connect with quitline services. NAQC uses the profile information for the annual survey which helps streamline the survey and reduce burden on respondents.

New profile fields and preset reports were added to the map, including:

General Profile Section

• New texting number field.
• Option to view all quitline funding sources.
• View information on available electronic medical records.

Services Offered Profile Section

• Phone counseling now includes: text to cell (two-way), text to cell (one-way), text to cell (two-way w/ counselor), text to cell (two-way automated).
• Web-based services now include: webpages, forums, online courses, social media, AI, mobile app.
• Cessation medications now include combination NRT.

Eligibility Profile Section

• View information on eligibility criteria to receive combination therapy.

Protocols Profile Section

• List all current protocols offered, including specialized protocols.

Cost-sharing Profile Section

• This new section was developed for cost-sharing partnerships with a fields for the main cost-sharing partnership contact and description of current partnerships.

Real-time Reports

New preset reports are available based on current quitline map profile data.

• NEW! Hours of Operations

• NEW! Specialized Protocols

• NEW! Eligibility Criteria

• NEW! Cost-Sharing Partnerships

• Free and Discounted Cessation Medication

• Quitline Administration and Financing

• Web-Based Services

• Specialized Material

• Service Providers

Provide Feedback
Are there profile fields, features, reports that you think should be added or modified? We would love to hear your thoughts. Please email us at profiles@naquitline.org.

Peer-to-Peer Communications through the ListServ and Membership Directory (members-only)
Have a question for your peers? Post it to the new and improved NAQC ListServ to gain feedback from other quitline professionals in real time. Posting a question is easy. Simply send an email to NAQClist@naquitline.org.
 
Please visit the membership directory page to access the online directory (members-only). Note: Please make sure to keep your membership information current. You can update your information by signing into your NAQC membership profile.

Contact membership@naquitline.org with any questions or for assistance with making member profile updates.

Career Center
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Career Center, designed to support your professional growth, job search efforts, and job openings promotion. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or looking to make a career change, our Career Center offers a variety of resources to help you succeed. You can find the Career Center located under “get involved” section of the NAQC website. Please feel free to post job openings which will also get featured in our monthly issue of Connections.

Orientation/Refresher Sessions
We offer orientation/refresher webinars to ensure that the quitline community is familiar with the services offered by NAQC and makes the most of them! If you and your team would like to schedule a webinar to learn more about NAQC or focus on a new priority program for your quitline, please contact us at membership@naquitline.org.

Thank you again for the important work you do and your support! If you have any questions, please contact us at naqc@naquitline.org or 800-398-5489 ext. 707. 

We look forward to another year of moving quitlines forward!