Investigation and analysis on current status of smoking cessation clinics in China

Abstract

To understand the current status of smoking cessation clinics in China, and provide evidence for tobacco control in the future. A questionnaire survey through telephone interview was conducted among 201 smoking cessation clinics in China in 2013, in addition, face-to-face questionnaire surveys were conducted in 6 smoking cessation clinics and among 398 smokers in Beijing. SPSS 19.0 Software was used for the data analysis. A total of 94 smoking cessation clinics were still in operation in China, in which 51% belonged to the department of respiratory diseases in hospitals. Averagely, there were 3.24 doctors or nurses in each clinic, and the average weekly clinic admission was 6.92 smokers in recent months. The face to face interview indicated that one month quit rate was above 50%. Among smokers surveyed, 48% were aware of cessation clinics and 21.9% would go to clinics if they want to stop smoking. The reason for which smokers didn' t choose clinics was that they didn' t believe tobacco dependence was a disease. The number of smoking cessation clinics decreased obviously in China. Government and hospitals should take joint action to improve the awareness and acceptance of smoking cessation clinic among the public, establish comprehensive referral system, and improve the cessation intervention capacity of public health providers.