Wisconsin Programs

UW-CTRI is a national leader in conducting and implementing cutting-edge research on treating tobacco use. The Center’s focus is twofold—to better understand tobacco dependence and to increase the use of effective treatments to help smokers quit for good. Since 2001, UW-CTRI has sought to use its expertise to reduce tobacco use in Wisconsin through a comprehensive program for Wisconsin residents.

The UW-CTRI Statewide Education and Outreach Program
This program is charged with bringing effective tobacco use treatment to every corner of the state and instituting policies to help people quit. By providing training to healthcare providers, clinics and healthcare delivery systems, UW-CTRI outreach staff members enhance the ability of healthcare providers to treat tobacco users successfully. By providing technical assistance to systems and insurers statewide, outreach staff help these organizations implement evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment. For more about Outreach, click here. For a UW-CTRI Outreach staff list, click here.

The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line
Thanks to funding from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, the Quit Line offers free, confidential, non-judgmental coaching and information about how to quit to any Wisconsin resident who calls 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).  At least $1,623 in medical expenses is saved each year for every smoker who quits, according to the CDC.  As a result, since May 2001 the Quit Line has saved Wisconsin an estimated $58 million by helping thousands quit.  For every $1 invested in the Quit Line, approximately $7 is saved in health costs. More than 1,000 calls were from uninsured residents and 1,300 were from Medicaid or Medicare recipients.  While African Americans comprised only six percent of the state population in 2006, 12 percent of Quit Line services were provided to African Americans.

Targeted Programs
UW-CTRI has designed programs to help veterans, pregnant women, parents of young children, Medicaid recipients and other specific groups to quit smoking or chewing tobacco.

The Wisconsin Tobacco Survey—Action Papers
In the fall of 2002, UW-CTRI began releasing action papers based on over 6000 interviews conducted as part of the Wisconsin Tobacco Survey. The survey obtained in-depth information on smoking initiation, quit attempts, insurance coverage and more. The papers contain recommendations for action (based on the information gleaned in the survey).