Comment from Utah Tobacco Free Alliance (UTFA)

The Utah Tobacco Free Alliance (UTFA) respectfully submits this comment in strong support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) requests for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to continue the collection of data for the National Quitline Data Warehouse (NQDW). These data collection efforts are critical to sustaining effective, evidence-based tobacco control programs and advancing cessation outcomes at the national, state, and community levels. This system provides essential infrastructure for understanding and improving tobacco cessation services. Specifically, NQDW data enable state and local programs to: •Monitor quitline reach, utilization, and long-term cessation outcomes. •Identify disparities in access to cessation services among specific demographics. •Improve program performance, optimize service delivery channels, and guide resource allocation. •Benchmark across states and track trends over time. In Utah, cessation services are a comprehensive, multi-channel operation. The state provides not only traditional telephonic counseling, but also digital coaching via text and online platforms. Furthermore, Utah directly funds evidence-based cessation aids, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and prescription medications such as bupropion. Managing a multi-tiered service model requires sophisticated, comparative data. Access to high-quality, standardized data through the NQDW allows Utah partners to evaluate the specific return on investment for each of these interventions. Without it, the state would face significant barriers in determining which combinations of services—such as pairing text coaching with NRT versus telephone coaching with bupropion—are the most cost-effective, drive the highest successful quit rates, and best meet the evolving demands of Utah tobacco users who are ready to quit. Discontinuing or reducing this national data collection would significantly impair the ability of states and partner organizations to evaluate local program effectiveness, ensure fiscal accountability for state-funded medications and services, and agilely respond to emerging nicotine use trends. Tobacco use continues to be a leading preventable cause of disease and death. Maintaining robust, coordinated data systems efforts is essential to sustain reductions in tobacco use, address evolving product landscapes, including emerging nicotine products, and strengthen coordination across federal, state, and community partners. The continued collection of these data supports a comprehensive public health approach grounded in evidence and accountability. With respect, Utah Tobacco Free Alliance (UTFA)