State-level factors influencing tobacco cessation quitline spending in 2008

Abstract

Tobacco cessation quitlines are an effective population-based smoking cessation treatment. However, quitline funding varies widely. Analyzing state-level factors may help explain these differences.We used data from the North American Quitline Consortium's 2008 survey of state quitlines and U.S. Census estimates to calculate per capita spending on quitline services. Publicly available data sources were used to identify demographic, tobacco use, tobacco control spending, and political and economic climate variables for the analysis.Linear regression analyses were used to identify potential predictors of per capita quitline services budgets in 2008. States with a greater percentage of their population with at least a high school degree, and states that spent more per capita on tobacco control programs overall, spent more per capita on quitline services (p > 0.05). In multivariate analysis, only per capita tobacco control expenditures was statistically significant (β=0.73, p =0.00, 95%CI 0.11-0.19). Baker has served as an investigator on research projects sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, including Sanofi-Synthelabo, Pfizer Inc., and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals. Over the last three years, Michael C. Fiore has served as an investigator in research studies at the University of Wisconsin that were funded by Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals. In 1998, the University of Wisconsin (UW) appointed Dr. Fiore to a named Chair funded by an unrestricted gift to UW from Glaxo Wellcome.Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. It appears that per capita tobacco control expenditures is the most consistent predictor of state per capita quitline expenditures. Additional research into whether and how state-level factors influence quitline funding levels is needed to allow advocates and policy-makers to understand better how to advocate for ongoing support of these population-based services. NIH Public Access

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