Quit attempts and intention to quit cigarette smoking among Medicaid recipients in the USA

To examine the effect of Medicaid coverage of tobacco dependence treatments (TDT) on quitting attempts and intention to quit by Medicaid recipient smokers.

Multiple cross-sectional study.

Data from the national 1996-2007 Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Survey in the USA were analysed (n=6585). Measures included self-reported quit attempts during the last 12 months, and serious intention to quit in the next 6 months and in the next 30 days.

In the baseline model, Medicaid coverage of TDT was associated with attempted quitting [odds ratio (OR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.45], intention to quit in the next 6 months (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-1.59) and intention to quit in the next 30 days (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.01-1.58). After controlling for cigarette taxes and the antismoking sentiment index for each state, the magnitude became smaller and the association was only statistically significant for intention to quit in the next 6 months.

Covering smoking cessation aids and eliminating copayments with Medicaid can encourage more quitting attempts and facilitate intentions to quit.