A centralised telephone service for tobacco cessation: the California experience

Objective-To provide an overview of the California Smokers' Helpline, an in creasingly popular telephone program for tobacco cessation in California si nce 1992. As many states, regions, and nations are contemplating various te lephone programs as part of large scale anti-tobacco campaigns, this paper presents a practical model. Design-The Helpline provides Californians with free cessation services that include counselling, self help quit kits, and cessation related informatio n. Services are provided in six spoken languages plus a line for the hearin g impaired. The program is promoted statewide by media campaigns, health ca re providers, local tobacco control programs, and the public school system. Setting-The Helpline is centrally operated through the University of Califo rnia, San Diego and provides services statewide via telephone. Results-The Helpline has served over 100 000 tobacco users and has become t he chief cessation resource for the Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program i n California. Media was the most important referral source for Helpline cal lers (50%), followed by health care providers (20%). About one third of the callers were ethnic minorities and 17% were 24 years old or younger. Compa red to California smokers in general, the callers were more dependent on ni cotine and more Likely to live with other smokers, but they were also more likely to have tried to quit recently and were more ready to try again. Two randomised trials have demonstrated the efficacy of the Helpline's counsel ling protocol. Conclusion-A centralised helpline operation can be an accessible and effect ive service for tobacco users and should be included in any large scale, co mprehensive tobacco control program.