Research also shows that counseling tobacco users improves quit rates, and that tobacco counseling provided over the phone is as effective as counseling provided in person. The Maine QuitLink provides tobacco users counseling by phone, digital support and when appropriate, provides medication support. Evaluation of the Phone Coaching Program has demonstrated that these services are effective. Tobacco users who receive support from the Maine QuitLink are two to three times more likely to successfully quit tobacco long-term than those who try quitting on their own.
Quit Your Way – Quit Service Options:
The Maine QuitLink offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of your patients of clients. Maine residents can choose from a variety of digital and phone based programs to meet them where they are in their quitting process. Mainers can choose from the robust integrated phone counseling program or from one of our new standalone digital services. Individuals can access services by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, visiting MaineQuitLink.com or through provider referral.
Quit Coaches provide evidence-based services using the Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence Clinical Practice Guideline (U.S. Public Health Service, 2008).
FY2019 Reach:
- Incoming Calls: 10,402
- Provider Referrals: 6,040
- Tobacco Users Registered for Services: 5,014
- Total Number of Phone Coaching Interventions: 8,355 (89.2% of Interventions were part of the Multi-Call Phone Coaching Program)
- 5,198 Nicotine Replacement Therapy Vouchers Authorized
Quit Rates (based on Participant Outcome Survey):
- Unassisted Quit Rate: 3%
- Overall Maine QuitLink Quit Rate: 26%
- Quit Rate When Completing the Multi-Call Phone Coaching Program and Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy Medications: 40%
The Maine QuitLink offers free, confidential support to all people, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. This support includes qualified interpreters for people whose primary language is not English, and services to assist individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence administers the Maine QuitLink on behalf of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Maine Department of Health and Human Services.