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QuitWorks is a free, evidence-based stop-smoking service developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in collaboration with all major health plans in Massachusetts.

The QuitWorks Story

In 2002, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in collaboration with all major health plans, launched QuitWorks, a first-of-its-kind tobacco cessation service for all Massachusetts residents. Operated by the Try-To-STOP TOBACCO Resource Center (Quitline) in Boston, QuitWorks is a universally endorsed program for use by any provider with any patient, regardless of health insurance status.

Initially introduced to more than 4,000 physician practices, in 2003, hospitals in Massachusetts increasingly expressed a need for the program, in part to meet JCAHO core measures. In response, QuitWorks for hospitals was launched, creating a continuum of effective treatment interventions from admission to post-discharge or post-outpatient visit. More than one-third of Massachusetts hospitals have adopted the QuitWorks program or are in the process of doing so, and more come on board every year.

Opening a new and important arena for QuitWorks, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts in 2004 awarded a grant to the University of Massachusetts Medical School to adapt QuitWorks for community health centers serving cultural and linguistic minorities. As of spring, 2005, 11 community health centers had become formal adopters of QuitWorks, integrating the program into their systems and routine patient care.

QuitWorks can be adapted for statewide and community-based public health programs. QuitWorks has already been introduced in 36 WIC offices and 26 Women's Health Network sites in Massachusetts. It can be customized for both office and home-based programs by contacting us.