Cost Effectiveness of the Tips From Former Smokers® Campaign-U.S., 2012-2018

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Tips From Former Smokers® campaign uses real-life stories to encourage smoking cessation.
• Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of public health campaigns is crucial for resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the cost-effectiveness of the Tips From Former Smokers® campaign from a healthcare sector perspective.
• To quantify the health benefits and cost savings associated with the campaign between 2012 and 2018.

Main Methods:

• Utilized survey data from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, including smokers.
• Calculated campaign-associated lifetime quits using relapse rates.
• Assessed lifetime health benefits and healthcare sector cost savings, adjusting for inflation.

Main Results:

• The campaign was linked to an estimated 129,100 premature deaths avoided and 803,800 life years gained.
• Approximately 1.38 million quality-adjusted life years were gained, with $7.3 billion in healthcare cost savings.
• Cost savings were estimated at $11,400 per quit, $9,100 per life year gained, and $5,300 per quality-adjusted life year gained.

Conclusions:

• Mass-reach health education campaigns like Tips From Former Smokers® are effective in promoting smoking cessation.
• These campaigns can lead to improved population health outcomes.
• The campaign demonstrates potential for reducing healthcare sector costs.