Moderation of the real-world effectiveness of smoking cessation aids by mental health conditions: A population study

Abstract

Objective To examine whether the real-world effectiveness of popular smoking cessation aids differs between users with and without a history of mental health conditions. Design Nationally-representative cross-sectional survey conducted monthly between 2016–17 and 2020–23. Setting England. Participants 5,593 adults (2,524 with a history of ≥1 mental health conditions and 3,069 without) who had smoked regularly within the past year and had attempted to quit at least once in the past year. Main outcome measures The outcome was self-reported abstinence from quit date up to the survey. Independent variables were use of the following cessation aids during the most recent quit attempt: prescription nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), NRT over-the-counter, varenicline, bupropion, vaping products, face-to-face behavioural support, telephone support, written self-help materials, websites, hypnotherapy, Allen Carr’s Easyway, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. The moderator was history of diagnosed mental health conditions (yes/no). Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, level of cigarette addiction, and characteristics of the quit attempt. Results Relative to those without, participants with a history of mental health conditions were significantly more likely to report using vaping products (38.8% [95%CI 36.7–40.8] vs. 30.7% [28.9–32.5]), prescription NRT (4.8% [3.9–5.7] vs. 2.7% [2.1–3.3]), and websites (4.0% [3.2–4.8] vs. 2.2% [1.6–2.7]). Groups did not differ significantly in their use of other aids. After adjusting for covariates and use of other cessation aids, those who used vaping products (OR = 1.92, 95%CI 1.61–2.30), varenicline (OR = 1.88, 95%CI 1.19–2.98), or heated tobacco products (OR = 2.33, 95%CI 1.01–5.35) had significantly higher odds of quitting successfully than those who did not report using these aids. There was little evidence that using other cessation aids increased the odds of successful cessation, or that the user’s history of mental health conditions moderated the effectiveness of any aid. Conclusions Use of vaping products, varenicline, or heated tobacco products in a quit attempt was associated with significantly greater odds of successful cessation, after adjustment for use of other cessation aids and potential confounders. There was no evidence to suggest the effectiveness of any popular cessation aid differed according to the user’s history of mental health conditions.