Can incentives and outreach get smokers to try quitting? new study tests four strategies.

NCT ID NCT04199117

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested four health system strategies to encourage adult smokers who weren't ready to quit to start using evidence-based treatments. The strategies included small financial rewards, personalized mailings, proactive phone calls from a tobacco care manager, and free counseling with nicotine replacement or varenicline. Over 1,600 primary care patients were followed for two years to see if these approaches increased treatment use and helped them quit smoking.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Varenicline and combination nicotine patch and mini-lozenge

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show health systems how to encourage more smokers to use proven treatments and quit for good.

What could go wrong

This is a completed Phase 4 study focused on treatment initiation, not a cure. Results may not apply to all smokers, and the interventions may not lead to long-term abstinence.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Cigarette Smoking Smoking Cessation

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention

    Madison, Wisconsin, 53711, United States