CBRC Research Paper Series No. 43
Abstract
The following report presents findings from an evaluation of the Victorian Quitline service,conducted between September 2010 and August 2011. Eligible callers to the Quitline service were recruited to participate in two telephone interviews, conducted at one month and at six
months following their initial counselling call.
Of the total sample recruited to the evaluation (n=788), an intention to treat analyses indicated that 38.3% were quit one month after their first counselling call and 28.9% were quit six months later. Of the 651 participants that completed the one month interview, 46.4%
were quit. Of the 553 callers followed up at six months, 41.2% were quit. Significant reductions in cigarette consumption were recorded among those who continued to smoke at the one month and six month follow up interviews.
The following characteristics of Quitline callers were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of being quit at the six month follow up interview: tertiary level or higher education, high confidence to quit (or remain quit), not living with a smoker and
having not made a previous quit attempt in the 12 months prior to calling the Quitline.
Respondents were highly likely to report having used a variety of quitting aids and services during the evaluation period. Use of the call-back service, the Quit website and stop smoking medications during the evaluation period were associated with increased likelihood of being quit at six months.
Uptake of other cessation services provided by Quit was high among Quitline callers. Callers generally rated the Quitline and other Quit Victoria services that they had used very highly. Callers were very likely to say that they would recommend Quit’s services (including the Quitline, call-back service and Quit pack) to friends or family members.