EFFECT OF COST ON THE SELF-ADMINISTRATION AND EFFICACY OF NICOTINE GUM - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

Methods. One hundred six smokers seen in a family practice received brief physician advice and a prescription for nicotine gum. Smokers were randomly assigned to pay $20, $6, or $0/box of nicotine gum and followed for 6 months. Results. Decreased cost increased the incidence of obtaining gum, the amount of gum used, and the incidence of long-term use (P < 0.05). Decreased cost also increased cessation attempts and 1-week cessation (P < 0.05) and appeared to increase abstinence at 6-month follow-up (19% vs 6% vs 8%, P < 0.10). Cost-benefit estimates suggest that an insurance plan, HMO, etc., would recoup any costs in subsidizing nicotine gum and perhaps incur a net financial gain. © 1991.