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 resulted in over 55,000 new referrals for tobacco cessation services between 2021 and 2023. Researchers at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center have published their findings in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, highlighting the impact of collaboration in addressing socioeconomic disparities in tobacco use.
The collaboration between quitlines and 211 agencies has proven to be effective in reaching low-income populations, where tobacco use is most concentrated. By offering referrals to Kick It California through 211 agencies, individuals experiencing economic hardship have been able to access the necessary services to help them quit smoking. This initiative has been particularly important given the prevalence of smoking among individuals living in poverty, as highlighted in a 2024 report from the U.S. Surgeon General.
Quitlines play a crucial role in providing phone-based counseling to support individuals in quitting smoking, vaping, or other forms of tobacco use. However, these services are often underutilized. On the other hand, 211 services have a broader reach, connecting Californians to vital health and human services. By partnering with thirteen 211 agencies across the state, the research team was able to identify individuals who use tobacco and offer them referrals to the quitline. Incentives, such as a $20 reward for completing a counseling session, further encouraged participation.
Key findings from the study include the successful referral of over 55,000 individuals to Kick it California through the incentive program. Participants referred by 211 agencies were more likely to enroll in quitline services and complete counseling sessions compared to those referred by health care clinics. Additionally, participants from all referral sources had similar success rates in quitting tobacco use.
The partnership with 211 agencies not only helped reach large numbers of tobacco users but also targeted populations disproportionately affected by tobacco use. Individuals referred by 211 agencies were more likely to be female, LGBTQ, Black or multiracial, younger, less educated, and Medicaid-insured. They were also more likely to have a mental health condition and engage in co-use of cigarettes with other forms of tobacco or cannabis.
The success of this collaboration demonstrates the potential for quitlines and 211 agencies to work together effectively in assisting low-income tobacco users in quitting. The researchers estimate that if 211 agencies nationwide referred their tobacco-using clients at a similar rate, an additional 64,000 individuals could receive tobacco cessation treatment each year. This approach could significantly reduce the burden of tobacco usage in the United States in the long term.
In conclusion, the partnership between Kick It California and local 211 agencies has shown promising results in helping individuals quit smoking and other forms of tobacco use. By leveraging the reach and resources of 211 agencies, quitlines can effectively target and support populations facing socioeconomic disparities in tobacco use. This collaborative effort represents a powerful strategy for addressing the public health challenge of tobacco-related disease and death.
References:
– Shu-Hong Zhu et al, “Increasing a Quitline’s Reach to Low-Income Tobacco Users Through 211 Agencies,” Nicotine and Tobacco Research (2025). DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae294
This article is provided by the University of California – San Diego.
