Do the Quitlines work?

Quitlines are clinically and cost effective in smoking cessation and as a public health intervention. Evidence base in a number of public health and clinical journals show that Quitlines have four broad advantages: *

• After mass media, they have the largest reach due to their ease of access- an armchair and phone call away. Quitlines can offer a rapid and one-to-one response during each mass media health promotion campaign
• Equality of access (a low cost/free phone Quitline is non-discriminatory)- they improve social inclusion and ends health inequalities
• A personal one-to-one confidential session that is dictated by the service user
• Clinically proven to improve quit success rates. Smokers need motivation, behavioural support and pharmacological support in quitting. The Quitlines can motivate and support smokers very effectively

Health economists have evaluated that the cost per life year saved when you help a smoker quit is a very cost effective way of improving public health.