Optimal use of the NHS Smoking Helpline (PORTSSS trial)

A Randomised Controlled Trial investigating two types of cessation support and the option of ‘no cost’ nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

 

Background 

Nicotine Replacement Therapy is an effective smoking cessation treatment, but only one RCT in the USA has investigated offering NRT to quitline callers. ‘Proactive’ quitline counselling involves additional telephone calls from cessation counsellors to clients and, in studies conducted in the USA, appears more effective than standard counselling.

Methods

Factorial parallel group methodology comparing two interventions

1. the offer of free NRT as compared to no offer 
2. proactive counselling as compared to standard helpline support.

Recruitment

Smokers living in England, who called the NHS Smoking Helpline between February 2009 and February 2010 and were 16 yrs and over, not pregnant, and motivated to stop smoking were recruited. 

Randomisation

Those randomised joined one of four groups: 

i) standard support, ii) proactive support, iii & iv) as i) and ii) with the offer of a free 6 week supply of NRT.

Outcome measures

• Primary outcome: self-reported prolonged smoking cessation for at least 6 months after a quit date. 
• Secondary outcome: validated cessation at 6 months (exhaled air carbon monoxide (CO)).

Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT00775944.