The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has provided telephone cessation counseling (Quitline) to Texas residents since 2000 as part of the state’s efforts to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco use. Since 2008, the demand for services through the Texas Quitline has increased from 2,148 tobacco users who received counseling in 2008, to 9,055 in 2010, and 6,605 during the first six months of 2011. Due to the increase in calls, the budget for the Quitline has increased from $550,000 in 2008, to $2.2 million in 2011.

According to a 2006 report by the Center for Health Research at Keiser Permanente Northwest, there is a return of $8,127 per person for the firs...

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The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has provided telephone cessation counseling (Quitline) to Texas residents since 2000 as part of the state’s efforts to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco use. Since 2008, the demand for services through the Texas Quitline has increased from 2,148 tobacco users who received counseling in 2008, to 9,055 in 2010, and 6,605 during the first six months of 2011. Due to the increase in calls, the budget for the Quitline has increased from $550,000 in 2008, to $2.2 million in 2011.

According to a 2006 report by the Center for Health Research at Keiser Permanente Northwest, there is a return of $8,127 per person for the first five years after that individual quits using tobacco through decreased health care costs and increased productivity. Approximately one-third of persons who receive Quitline counseling successfully stop using tobacco; therefore, the Texas Quitline achieved an estimated $24.5 million return on investment in 2010.

For fiscal years 2012 and 2013, the Quitline funding has been reduced to $848,648 annually due to reductions in state funding and the conclusion of federal grants. This will purchase services for only 5,000 callers. This will limit services to priority populations rather than all Texas residents. As of September 1, 2011, the Quitline will provide statewide telephone counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) only to pregnant women and uninsured persons, and counseling only to those with Medicaid (who can receive medications as part of their Medicaid benefits). Those living within the targeted communities that have a comprehensive tobacco coalition will receive counseling only.

The remainder of the state’s population will have access only to an internet-based counseling system. DSHS requests $1 million per year for three years to fund the continuation of Quitline services to provide counseling and NRT to priority populations that are at high risk for tobacco addiction. These populations include uninsured persons, individuals who are in treatment for alcohol or drug addiction, and individuals referred to the Quitline by their clinician. DSHS estimates these funds will ensure provision of services to approximately 6,775 callers annually, of whom 4,743 will receive counseling (70 %), and 1,660 (30% of those counseled) will receive NRT.

DSHS also proposes to use approximately $50,000 of these funds to train providers and clinicians on best practice guidelines for treating tobacco dependence. These activities will be conducted in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin to expand a DSHS funded project to use an electronic health record module for treating tobacco dependence. DSHS will collaborate with the Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) and the Association of Substance Abuse Providers (ASAP) to reach providers statewide. TACHC and ASAP represent FQHC and substance abuse treatment providers, respectively.

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