The Tobacco And Nicotine Control Initiative (TANCI)
in partnership with the
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
School of Public Health

The Tobacco and Nicotine Control Initiative (TANCI) is a multi-disciplinary program specializing in helping tobacco users quit. TANCI offers free or low-cost, evidenced tobacco treatment services to all Louisiana public hospital patients, employees and the communities they serve.

Services offered to tobacco users include:

• Self-help material
• Behavioral counseling (individual and group)
• Quit-Line support
• Pharmacotherapy
• Social Support

Our Services

The Tobacco and Nicotine Control Initiative (TANCI) provides five treatment options to public hospital patients when treating tobacco use and dependency. These treatment options are:

1. Self-Help Material

   Guide to Quit Smoking
   The Guide to Quit Smoking flyer provides brief advice to people who are interested in information on how to quit tobacco use on their own. It is provided to patients through inpatient and outpatient level. Please click here to print a copy.

   Quit-Line Card
   The Quit-Line card is convenient, easy to carry, and provides information on the Louisiana tobacco Quit-Line. The Quit-Line, at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, provides free and confidential cessation advice to support Louisiana residents, ages 15 and older, ready to quit smoking. Certified counselors are available to help callers kick the habit and improve their quality of life. It is provided to patients through inpatient and outpatient level.

   On-line Resources
   The QUIT WITH US, LA website provides information and links to resources for people who are interested in information on how to quit tobacco and people who want assist others in their journey to quit tobacco.

2. Behavioral Counseling

   Group
   For smokers who are ready to quit, group behavioral counseling sessions are led by certified counselors. The sessions consist of two two-hour sessions over two weeks (held on Tuesdays). Group size is generally eight to 10 participants. Sessions cover:  developing quit plans, obtaining social support, stress management techniques, diet and nutrition information and medication assistance. New sessions begin each month and are offered at morning, noon and evening times. For specific session times at your facility, contact your on-site TCI staff member.

3. Quit-Line Assistance

   The Louisiana Quit-Line is operated by the American Cancer Society and funded by The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living. Callers to the 1-800-QUIT-NOW number receive confidential medical advice and support from certified counselors available. Counselors help callers develop personalized quit plans by providing the following information 1) materials based on their interest in smoking cessation and readiness to quit, 2) referrals to free group counseling, and 3) proactive telephone counseling for callers ready to quit.

   Callers may receive up to five callbacks from counselors to help them stay on track, and pregnant smokers may receive up to eight callbacks. When service to the Quit-Line is not available, smokers can call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) to learn about the benefits of tobacco cessation or to find where to get help in their area. This assistance is provided at both the inpatient and outpatient level.

4. Pharmacotherapy Assistance

   IMPORTANT NOTE:  This summary of pharmacotherapy information was obtained from the Medscape website (www.medscape.com). This summary does not contain all possible information about the products listed. This summary is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be taken as expert medical advice.

   PARTICIPATION NOTE:  You must be an LSU patient to receive the medication at a discounted price. However Medicaid and private insurance participants can be assessed for medication and receive a prescription, but not at the LSU patient rates. Actually if the patient has Medicaid it's cheaper than LSU’s rate and, of course, private insurance varies in coverage. The only NRT medication offered through this program is Nicoderm patches.

   Varenicline
   Varenicline (also referred to as Chantix) is an FDA approved medication used in combination with a stop-smoking program (e.g., education materials, support group, counseling) to aid quit smoking attempts. It may work by blocking nicotine's actions in the brain. Varenicline is available free or at low cost for qualifying patients in the public hospital system. Prescribing information is as follows:

   • Chantix: Day 1-3:  0.5 mg once daily; Day 4-7: 0.5 mg twice daily; Day 8-end of 12 week treatment:  1mg twice daily.

   Nicotine Replacement Therapy
   Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is approved by the FDA (i.e. gum, patch, nasal spray, lozenge and vapor inhaler). NRT products provide a steady, controlled dose of nicotine throughout the day, thereby reducing the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Strength is reduced over time, allowing the user to wean off of nicotine gradually. Nicotine patches are available free or at low cost for qualifying patients in the public hospital system. Prescribing information is as follows:

   • For greater than 10 cigarettes apply 1 patch (21mg) Transdermal route once daily for 2 weeks;
   • For less than 10 cigarettes apply 1 patch (14mg) Transdermal route once daily for 2 weeks.

   Bupropion
   Bupropion (also referred to as Wellbutrin and Zyban) is an FDA approved medication used to treat depression. It may work by improving mood and feelings of well-being, and by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Bupropion is also used to help people quit smoking by decreasing cravings and nicotine withdrawal effects. As a quit smoking aid, Bupropion is encouraged for use in combination with a stop-smoking program (e.g., education materials, support group, counseling) to aid quit smoking attempts. Bupropion is available free or at low cost for qualifying patients in the public hospital system. Prescribing information is as follows:

   • Wellbutrin SR:  1 Q Day X3 Days, then 1 PO BID 150 mg, #120, no refills
   • Wellbutrin XL:  1 Q Day X3 Days, then 1 PO BID 300 mg, #120, no refills

   Click here for a chart to find out more information on these and other drugs used to treat tobacco use and dependency. This assistance is provided at both the in-patient and out-patient level.

5. Inpatient Bedside Consultation

   Smoking counseling is available at the bedside-hospitalized inpatients who use tobacco. Certified counselors provide several treatment options to patients interested in quitting, helping them take the appropriate steps toward success. Consultations include self-help material, an invitation to group counseling, facilitated access to the Louisiana Quit-Line service (proactive telephone counseling via faxed referral), pharmacotherapy options and/or viewing a smoking cessation video.