Does improved access and greater choice of nicotine replacement therapy affect smoking cessation success? Findings from a randomized controlled trial

Aims  To determine the effect of offering smokers who want to quit easy access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), a period of familiarization and choice of product on smoking abstinence at 6 months. Design  Single‐blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting  New Zealand. Participants  A total of 1410 adult smokers who called the national Quitline for quitting support were randomized to usual Quitline care or a box containing different NRT products (patch, gum, inhaler, sublingual tablet, oral pouch) to try for a week prior to quitting, and then to choose one or two of these products for 8 weeks' use. Measurements  The primary outcome was 7‐day point prevalence smoking abstinence 6 months after quit day. Secondary outcomes included continuous abstinence, cigarette consumption, withdrawal, NRT choice and serious adverse events at 1 and 3 weeks and 3 and 6 months. Findings  No differences in 6‐month quit rates (7‐day point prevalence or continuous abstinence) were observed between the groups. However, smokers allocated to the intervention group were more likely to have quit smoking at 3 months [self‐reported point prevalence, relative risk (RR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.35, P  = 0.03], had a longer time to relapse (median 70 days versus 28 days, P  < 0.01) and used significantly more NRT. The selection box concept was highly acceptable to users, with the patch and inhaler combination the most popular choice (34%). Conclusions  In terms of smoking abstinence at 6 months, offering smokers who want to quit free access to a wide range of nicotine replacement therapy, including a 1‐week period of familiarization and choice of up to two products, appears no different to offering reduced cost and choice of nicotine replacement therapy, with no familiarization period.