Innovative partnership helps low-income tobacco users quit

A successful partnership between Kick It California, a tobacco quitline operated by the University of California San Diego, and local 211 information and referral agencies has led to over 55,000 new referrals for tobacco cessation services between 2021 and 2023. This collaboration, as reported by researchers at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, aims to address socioeconomic disparities in tobacco use.

The study, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, showcases how quitlines and 211 agencies can work together effectively to support individuals in quitting tobacco use. The initiative targeted individuals experiencing economic challenges, as tobacco use is more prevalent in low-income populations. By offering a $20 incentive for completing a counseling session, the partnership aimed to encourage 211 clients who use tobacco to accept a referral to the quitline for the necessary support to quit.

Smoking rates among individuals living in poverty are significantly higher compared to those in higher income brackets, according to a report from the U.S. Surgeon General. Quitlines play a crucial role in combating tobacco-related diseases and deaths by providing phone-based counseling to assist individuals in quitting smoking, vaping, or other forms of tobacco use.

In California alone, 211 services have been accessed over 2.1 million times in a single year to connect individuals with essential health and human services. By collaborating with thirteen 211 agencies across the state, the research team identified tobacco-using 211 clients and offered them referrals to Kick It California. The study revealed several key findings, including the higher likelihood of 211-referred participants enrolling in quitline services and completing counseling sessions compared to those referred by health care clinics.

Moreover, the program successfully reached various populations disproportionately affected by tobacco use, such as women, LGBTQ individuals, Black or multiracial individuals, and those with lower education levels. The findings underscore the effectiveness of partnering with 211 agencies to help low-income tobacco users quit and potentially reduce the burden of tobacco usage in the United States.

The study authors emphasize the importance of leveraging existing resources and partnerships to expand the reach of tobacco cessation services, particularly among underserved populations. By replicating this model nationwide, approximately 64,000 additional individuals could receive tobacco cessation treatment each year. This collaborative approach not only benefits individuals seeking to quit tobacco but also contributes to public health efforts to address disparities in tobacco use and related health outcomes.