Background: On April 1, 2009, the federal cigarette excise tax increased from 39 cents to $1.01 per pack.
Methods: This study describes call volumes to 16 state quitlines, characteristics of callers and cessation outcomes before and after the tax.
Results: Calls to the quitlines increased by 23.5% in 2009 and more whites, smokers ≥ 25 years of age, smokers of shorter duration, those with less education, and those who live with smokers called after (versus before) the tax. Quit rates at 7 months did not differ before versus after tax.
Conclusions: Descriptive analyses revealed that the federal excise tax on cigarettes was associated with increased calls to quitlines but multivariate analyses revealed no difference in quit rates. However, more callers at the same quit rate indicates an increase in total number of successful quitters. If revenue obtained from increased taxation on cigarettes is put into cessation treatment, then it is likely future excise taxes would have an even greater effect.