Higher Smoking Cessation Rates Research Articles

Identifying significant contributors for smoking cessation among male prisoners in Australia: results from a randomised clinical trial

IntroductionIn Australia, an estimated 90% of those entering prison are current tobacco smokers and three-quarters of current prisoners are tobacco smokers.AimsTo identify factors and their relative contributions to smoking cessation...

Behaviour change techniques associated with smoking cessation in intervention and comparator groups of randomized controlled trials: a systematic review and meta-regression.

To estimate the strengths of associations between use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and clusters of BCTs in behavioural smoking cessation interventions and comparators with smoking cessation rates. Systematic review and meta-regression of biochemically verified smoking cessation rates on BCTs in interventions and comparators in randomized controlled trials, adjusting for a priori-defined potential confounding variables, together with moderation analyses. Studies were drawn from the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialised Register. Data were extracted from published and unpublished (i.e. obtained from study authors) study materials by two independent coders. Adequately described intervention (k=143) and comparator (k=92) groups were included in the analyses (n=43 992 participants). Using bivariate mixed-effects meta-regressions, while controlling for key a priori confounders, we regressed smoking cessation on (a) three BCT groupings consistent with dual-process theory (i.e. associative, reflective motivational and self-regulatory), (b) 17 expert-derived BCT groupings (i.e. BCT taxonomy version 1 clusters) and (c) individual BCTs from the BCT taxonomy version 1. Among person-delivered interventions, higher smoking cessation rates were predicted by BCTs targeting associative and self-regulatory processes (B=0.034, 0.041, P<0.05), and by three individual BCTs (prompting commitment, social reward, identity associated with changed behaviour). Among written interventions, BCTs targeting taxonomy cluster 10a (rewards) predicted higher smoking cessation (B=0.394, P<0.05). Moderation effects were observed for nicotine dependence, mental health status and mode of delivery. Among person-delivered behavioural smoking cessation interventions, specific behaviour change techniques and clusters of techniques are associated with higher success rates.

Variability and effectiveness of comparator group interventions in smoking cessation trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AimsTo examine variability and effectiveness of interventions provided to comparator (control) groups in smoking cessation trials.MethodsSystematic review with meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioral interventions for smoking cessation, with or without stop‐smoking medication. We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register for RCTs with objective outcomes measured at ≥ 6 months. Study authors were contacted to obtain comprehensive descriptions of their comparator interventions. Meta‐regression analyses examined the relationships of smoking cessation rates with stop‐smoking medication and behavior change techniques.ResultsOne hundred and four of 142 eligible comparator groups (n = 23 706) had complete data and were included in analyses. There was considerable variability in the number of behavior change techniques delivered [mean = 15.97, standard deviation (SD) = 13.54, range = 0–45] and the provision of smoking cessation medication (43% of groups received medication) throughout and within categories of comparator groups (e.g. usual care, brief advice). Higher smoking cessation rates were predicted by provision of medication [B = 0.334, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.030–0.638, P = 0.031] and number of behavior change techniques included (B = 0.020, 95% CI = 0.008–0.032, P < 0.001). Modelled cessation rates in comparator groups that received the most intensive support were 15 percentage points higher than those that received the least (23 versus 8%).ConclusionsInterventions delivered to comparator groups in smoking cessation randomized controlled trials vary considerably in content, and cessation rates are strongly predicted by stop‐smoking medication and number of behavior change techniques delivered.

Sa1015 – High Smoking Cessation Rates in a Pharmacist-Led Clinic Embedded in an IBD Center

Sa1015 – High Smoking Cessation Rates in a Pharmacist-Led Clinic Embedded in an IBD Center

Association between income and control of cardiovascular risk factors after acute coronary syndromes: an observational study

The role of income in cardiovascular disease prevention after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear. We aimed to assess the association between income and control of cardiovascular risk factors one year after an ACS in a country with universal health insurance. Between 2013 and 2014, we studied 255 consecutive patients with ACS in an observational study in a university hospital in Switzerland in which self-reported household income was assessed. We classified patients into two categories based on the median income in Switzerland: higher than CHF 6000 (&euro; 5300) or less than or equal to CHF 6000 (&euro; 5300) per month. One year after discharge, patients were evaluated for the achievement of lipid and blood pressure targets, smoking cessation and drug adherence. Multivariate odds ratios (OR) were adjusted for age, sex, education, living status and working status. Overall, 52.2% (n = 133) of patients with ACS were in the low-income category and 47.8% (n = 122) were in the high-income category. One year after discharge, high-income patients had higher rates of smoking cessation (64.2 vs 30.1%, multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.58&ndash;9.24) and blood pressure target achievement (78.6 vs 60.2%, multivariate-adjusted OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.09&ndash;4.41) compared to those in the low-income category. There were no differences regarding adherence to drugs or lipid control between the two income groups. A high household income was associated with a higher rate of smoking cessation and better control of blood pressure one year after ACS, independently of education, living status and working status.

A multicomponent behavioral intervention for smoking cessation during pregnancy: a nonconcurrent multiple-baseline design.

Given serious consequences of maternal smoking, we aimed to develop and test a multicomponent behavioral intervention to enhance smoking cessation during pregnancy. In this nonconcurrent, multiple-baseline intervention pilot study, 48 daily smoking pregnant women (mean 13.7 weeks of gestation) were recruited from Buffalo, NY, USA. Upon completion of the repeated baseline smoking monitoring (up to 3 weeks), 30 continuous smokers received a contingent financial incentive-based intervention with three additional components (education and counseling, monitoring and feedback, and family support). After the quit date, participants met with counselors (~1 hr/visit) daily for 2 weeks and twice a week for another 6 weeks. Twenty-one out of 30 participants quit smoking completely (verified by urine cotinine) after receiving the intervention, and the other nine nonquitters decreased smoking substantially. The estimated smoking cessation rate was 70.0% (21/30) at the second week of the intervention, and 63.3% (19/30) at the conclusion of the 8-week intervention assuming the dropouts as smoking. In interrupted time series analysis, the mean daily number of cigarettes smoked among quitters decreased by 6.52, 5.34, and 4.67 among early, delayed, and late intervention groups, respectively. Quitters' mean urine cotinine level maintained stably high before the intervention but decreased rapidly to the nonsmoking range once the intervention was initiated. Most participants (85.7%) reported meeting or exceeding expectations, and 100% would recommend the program to others. This pilot multicomponent intervention was feasible and acceptable to most participants, resulting in a high smoking cessation rate among pregnant smokers who were unlikely to quit spontaneously.

Comparison of Postoperative Smoking Cessation Rates of Patients with Benign or Premalignant Vocal Cord Lesions.

Objectives:It has been determined that cigarette is a risk factor for squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, esophagus, and larynx. We aimed to investigate the role of histopathological diagnosis of the lesion in smoker patients with vocal cord lesion on smoking cessation rates and to determine strategies to help them quit smoking.Methods:In this prospective clinical study, we included 182 (112 male, 70 female) smoker patients who underwent direct laryngoscopy and biopsy due to premalignant (dysplasia) or benign (polyp, leukoplasia, nodule) vocal cord lesions between July 2014 and December 2017 at our clinic. Smoking habits (ex-smoker, current smoker) of all smoker patients were questioned at least 6 months postoperatively, and postoperative smoking cessation rates were compared.Results:When the smoking cessation rates of the patients with benign and premalignant vocal cord lesions were evaluated, the smoking cessation rate of the patients with premalignant vocal cord lesions was 3.45 times higher than that of the patients with benign vocal cord lesions (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.76–6.74) (p<0.001). The postoperative application rate of the patients to smoking cessation outpatient clinics was low (6%). Male patients with premalignant lesions were more likely to quit smoking than female patients (p=0.001).Conclusion:Patients with premalignant vocal cord lesions had higher smoking cessation rates. Premalignant vocal cord lesions require clinical follow-up and treatment because of the risk and potential for their transformation into in situ or invasive laryngeal carcinomas.

Factors moderating the relative effectiveness of varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy in clients using smoking cessation services.

To assess how far the greater effectiveness of varenicline over nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is moderated by characteristics of the smokers or setting in clinical practice. We used observational data from 22 472 treatment episodes between 2013 and 2016 from smoking cessation services in England to assess whether differences between varenicline and NRT were moderated by a set of smoker and setting characteristics: these included level of social deprivation, age, gender, ethnic group, nicotine dependence and treatment context. From the above, 15 640 episodes were analysed in relation to 4-week quit and 14 273 episodes at 12weeks. All two-way interactions involving pharmacotherapy were fitted in addition to the main effects and a parsimonious model identified using a backwards stepwise selection procedure. England PARTICIPANTS: Clients of smoking cessation service (number of individuals in 4-week quit analysis=15 640). Four-week carbon monoxide-validated (primary outcome) and 12-week self-reported (secondary outcome) quit success/failure. At both follow-up points, varenicline was associated with higher success rates overall [P<0.001 at both 4 and 12weeks; adjusted odds ratio (OR) varenicline versus NRT=1.82 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.61, 2.06) and 2.58 (95% CI=2.26, 2.94) at 4 and 12weeks, respectively]. At 12weeks, the relative benefits of varenicline were found to be influenced by the setting in which advice was provided [P<0.001 for interaction pharmacotherapy × setting; adjusted odds ratio for varenicline × pharmacy setting=0.53 (95% CI=0.42, 0.69) and for varenicline × general practice (GP) setting=0.79 (95% CI=0.64, 0.98) against a baseline of 1 for varenicline × community setting]. The same trends were evident at 4weeks, but this did not translate to statistical significance. There was inconclusive evidence for moderating effects of other variables. Varenicline use was associated with higher smoking cessation rates than nicotine replacement therapy in routine clinical practice, irrespective of a wide range of smoker characteristics, but the difference was less in certain intervention settings, most notably pharmacy but also GP practice, compared with community setting.

Self-Reported Reasons for Smoking: Predicting Abstinence and Implications for Smoking Cessation Treatments Among Those With a Psychotic Disorder

ABSTRACTObjectives: People living with a psychotic illness have higher rates of cigarette smoking and face unique barriers to quitting compared to the general population. We examined whether self-reported reasons for smoking are useful predictors of successful quit attempts among people with psychosis. Methods: As part of a randomized controlled trial addressing smoking and cardiovascular disease risk behaviors among people with psychosis, self-reported reasons for smoking were assessed at baseline (n = 235), 15 weeks (n = 151), and 12 months (n = 139). Three factors from the Reasons for Smoking Questionnaire (Coping, Physiological, and Stimulation/Activation) were entered into a model to predict short- and long-term abstinence. The relationship between these factors and mental health symptoms were also assessed. Results: Participants scoring higher on the Stimulation/Activation factor (control of weight, enjoyment, concentration, and “peps me up”) at baseline were just less than half as likely to be abstinent at 15 weeks. Female participants were five times more likely to abstinent at 15 weeks, and those with a higher global functioning at baseline were 5% more likely to be abstinent. There was a positive correlation between changes over time in the Stimulation/Activation factor from baseline to 12-month follow-up and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale total score at 12-month follow-up. This indicates that increasingly higher endorsement of the factor was associated with more psychological symptoms. There was also a negative correlation between the change over time in the Stimulation/Activation factor and global functioning at 12 months, indicating that increasingly higher endorsement of the factor led to lower global assessment of functioning. Conclusions: The Stimulation/Activation factor may be particularly important to assess and address among smokers with psychosis. It is recommended that further research use the Reasons for Smoking Questionnaire among smokers with psychosis as a clinical tool to identify specific quit barriers. Further research into why females have higher smoking cessation rates in the short term and relapse prevention interventions seem worthy of further investigation.

Sex-Specific and Time-Varying Associations Between Cigarette Smoking and Telomere Length Among Older Adults.

Inconsistent associations between smoking and telomere length (TL) have been reported in epidemiologic studies, perhaps because of the time-varying nature of smoking behaviors. We estimated the associations of TL, which was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction using saliva DNA, with concurrent and past smoking status reported biennially for up to 16 years before TL measurement in5,624 participants in the Health and Retirement Study (1992-2008). Smoking was associated with reduced TL when we used prospective data on smoking statuses among men and women, but the association was strongly attenuated among men in cross-sectional analyses. This attenuation was largely due to a higher rate of smoking cessation during the study period among men with shorter TL than among men with longer TL. Short TL was also associated with poorer overall health in men, which suggests that male smokers with short TL were more likely to quit smoking because of poor health. Analyses of years since cessation, smoking duration, and pack-years of smoking all support the hypothesis that increased cigarette use shortens TL. Our results provide a potential explanation for the inconsistent associations between smoking and TL reported in previous cross-sectional studies. Time-varying associations should be considered in future studies of smoking behavior, TL, aging, and disease risk.

E-cigarettes associated with higher rate of smoking cessation.

Growth in the use of e-cigarettes in England is associated with higher rate of successful attempts to stop smoking, say UK researchers.

Success of smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy is a modifiable risk factor associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Smoking during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of spontaneous abortion, prematurity, low birthweight, congenital malformations, andsudden infant death syndrome. Despite the fact that it is well known that smoking can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, 13-25% of pregnant women overall continue to smoke during this critical period. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of gestational use of bupropion and nicotine patch replacement therapy on the risk of the following: (1) smoking cessation, (2) prematurity, and (3) small for gestational age. Women included in the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort who filled the annual autoadministered questionnaire between Jan. 1, 1998, and June 30, 2009, were studied. Smokers before gestation with a pregnancy resulting in a live birth comprised the study population. Three mutually exclusive study groups were formed among those who smoked at the beginning of pregnancy: gestational users of nicotine patch replacement therapy, bupropion, and smokers who did not use nicotine patch replacement therapy or bupropion. Rate of smoking cessation during pregnancy as well as the risk of prematurity and small for gestational age were studied. Of the 1288 women who met inclusion criteria, 900 were smokers, 72 were bupropion users, and 316 were nicotine patch replacement therapy users. Bupropion and nicotine patch replacement therapy use during pregnancy were associated with higher rates of smoking cessation: 81% in the bupropion group; 79% for nicotine patch replacement therapy; and 0% in those not using buproprion or nicotine patch replacement therapy. After discontinuing smoking cessation medications, 60% of bupropion users and 68% of nicotine patch replacement therapy users did not smoke again during and after pregnancy. Adjusting for potential confounders, nicotine patch replacement therapy use was associated with a lower risk of prematurity (adjusted odds ratio, 0.21, 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.34), and small-for-gestational-age (adjusted odds ratio, 0.61, 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.90) compared to smoking. Bupropion was associated with a lower risk of prematurity only (adjusted odds ratio, 0.12, 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.50). Bupropion and nicotine patch replacement therapy have an impact on smoking cessation during and after pregnancy. Nicotine patch replacement therapy also decreased the risk of prematurity and small for gestational age.

Tobacco control policy and socio-economic inequalities in smoking in 27 European countries

BackgroundHigher Tobacco Control Scale (TCS) scores, in the early 2000s were associated with higher smoking cessation rates across Europe, both among lower and higher educated people. We aimed to assess if this association held in recent years. MethodsRepeated cross-sectional Eurobarometer surveys were used, in 27 European countries from 2006 to 2012 (study sample=73,617 adults). We used multilevel regression to model associations between the TCS (ranging from 0 to 100, quantifying: tobacco price, smoke-free laws, mass-media campaigns, advertising bans, warning labels, and cessation support) and both smoking cessation and cigarettes smoked per day. We modelled associations according to respondents’ education and occupation, with adjustment for age, sex, and survey-wave. ResultsWe found no association between the TCS and smoking cessation for lower or middle educated respondents, but we did find an association for higher educated respondents (OR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.08 to 1.19). For smoking intensity, we observed no associations with the TCS for lower educated respondents (beta: 0.04, 95%CI: −0.33 to 0.41) but we did observe significant associations for middle (beta: −0.25, 95%CI: −0.47 to −0.03) and higher educated respondents (beta: −0.27, 95%CI: −0.55 to −0.01). Associations were observed for both manual and non-manual classes, but not for those not working for pay. Of the TCS domains, none were associated with smoking cessation for lower educated respondents, but five were for higher educated respondents. ConclusionsAssociations between tobacco control policies and smoking cessation were found mostly among higher socioeconomic groups. This underlines the need for specific tobacco control policies that explicitly focus on reaching low socio-economic groups.

High-Risk Smoking Behaviors and Barriers to Smoking Cessation Among Homeless Individuals.

Although tobacco practices and the effects of tobacco use among the general American population are well described, minimal data exist regarding tobacco use and barriers to smoking cessation among homeless individuals. Anonymous, voluntary surveys based on a previously implemented instrument were completed by 100 smoking individuals residing at a homeless shelter. These surveys assessed high-risk smoking behaviors and respondents' perceived barriers to long-term smoking cessation. Ninety percent of study participants reported engaging in at least one of the high-risk tobacco practices. Nicotine replacement therapy was perceived by respondents to be the most desired form of smoking cessation aid. Excessive stress with use of tobacco smoking to alleviate stress and anxiety was the most significant self-perceived barrier to smoking cessation. High-risk tobacco practices are remarkably common among smoking homeless individuals. Despite literature consistently showing that non-nicotine tobacco cessation pharmacotherapies (varenicline, buproprion) have higher smoking cessation rates, nicotine replacement monotherapy was perceived as more valuable by survey respondents. Although lack of financial resources was expected to be the biggest barrier to successful cessation, social stressors and the use of smoking to cope with homelessness were perceived as a greater obstacle in this cohort. Given the paucity of data on the long-term effects of the high-risk tobacco behaviors reported by these homeless smokers, this study highlights the need for further investigations regarding tobacco use and tobacco cessation in this vulnerable population.

The Association of Exposure to Point-of-Sale Tobacco Marketing with Quit Attempt and Quit Success: Results from a Prospective Study of Smokers in the United States.

The aim was to assess the association of exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco marketing with quit attempt and quit success in a prospective study of smokers in the United States. Data were collected via telephone-interview on exposure to POS tobacco marketing, sociodemographic and smoking-related variables from 999 smokers in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States. Exposure to POS tobacco marketing was measured by asking respondents three questions about noticing pack displays, advertisements, and promotions in their respective neighborhoods stores. These three variables were combined into a scale of exposure to POS tobacco marketing. About 68% of the respondents participated in a six-month follow-up phone interview and provided data on quit attempts and smoking cessation. At the six-month follow-up, 39.9% of respondents reported to have made a quit attempt, and 21.8% of those who made a quit attempt succeeded in quitting. Exposure to POS marketing at baseline was not associated with the probability of having made a quit attempt as reported at the six-month follow-up (p = 0.129). However, higher exposure to POS marketing was associated with a lower probability of quit success among smokers who reported to have attempted to quit smoking at six-month follow-up (p = 0.006). Exposure to POS tobacco marketing is associated with lower chances of successfully quitting smoking. Policies that reduce the amount of exposure to POS marketing might result in higher smoking cessation rates.

Treatment Outcomes From a Specialist Model for Treating Tobacco Use Disorder in a Medical Center.

Cigarette smoking causes premature mortality and multiple morbidity; stop smoking improves health. Higher rates of smoking cessation can be achieved through more intensive treatment, consisting of medication and extended counseling of patients, but there are challenges to integrating these interventions into healthcare delivery systems. A care model using a master-level counselor trained as a tobacco treatment specialist (TTS) to deliver behavioral intervention, teamed with a supervising physician/prescriber, affords an opportunity to integrate more intensive tobacco dependence treatment into hospitals, clinics, and other medical systems. This article analyzes treatment outcomes and predictors of abstinence for cigarette smokers being treated using the TTS-physician team in a large outpatient clinic over a 7-year period.This is an observational study of a large cohort of cigarette smokers treated for tobacco dependence at a medical center. Patients referred by the primary healthcare team for a TTS consult received a standard assessment and personalized treatment planning guided by a workbook. Medication and behavioral plans were developed collaboratively with each patient. Six months after the initial assessment, a telephone call was made to ascertain a 7-day period of self-reported abstinence. The univariate association of each baseline patient characteristic with self-reported tobacco abstinence at 6 months was evaluated using the chi-squared test. In addition, a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with self-reported tobacco abstinence as the dependent variable and all baseline characteristics included as explanatory variables.Over a period of 7 years (2005–2011), 6824 cigarette smokers who provided general research authorization were seen for treatment. The 6-month self-reported abstinence rate was 28.1% (95% confidence interval: 27.7–30.1). The patients most likely to report abstinence were less dependent, more motivated to quit, and did not have a past year diagnosis of depression or alcoholism.Predictable patient characteristics such as level of dependence did predict abstinence, but all patient groups achieved comparable abstinence outcomes. While this study has limitations inherent in a single-center retrospective cohort study, it does suggest that the TTS model is an effective way to integrate more intensive tobacco dependence treatment into outpatient settings.

Smoking Cessation Failure Among Korean Adolescents.

The aim of this study was to identify smoking cessation failure subgroups among Korean adolescents. Participants were 379 smoking adolescents who joined a smoking cessation program. A questionnaire and a cotinine urine test were administered before the program began. Three months after the program ended, the cotinine urine test was repeated. A decision-tree model identified seven subgroups with low or high smoking cessation rates. The predictors of smoking cessation were intention to stop smoking, initiation of smoking, amount of cigarette use, self-efficacy, and paternal smoking status. The subgroup with the lowest smoking cessation rate included adolescents who did not have any intention to stop smoking and who had started smoking after eighth grade, and none of the participants in this group stopped smoking. The results of this study provide crucial information for tailored smoking cessation programs.

Cost-Effectiveness of Disease Management Programs for Cardiovascular Risk and COPD in The Netherlands

BackgroundDisease management programs (DMPs) for cardiovascular risk (CVR) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increasingly implemented in The Netherlands to improve care and patient’s health behavior. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to provide evidence about the (cost-) effectiveness of Dutch DMPs as implemented in daily practice. MethodsWe compared the physical activity, smoking status, quality-adjusted life-years, and yearly costs per patient between the most and the least comprehensive DMPs in four disease categories: primary CVR prevention, secondary CVR prevention, both types of CVR prevention, and COPD (N = 1034). Propensity score matching increased comparability between DMPs. A 2-year cost-utility analysis was performed from the health care and societal perspectives. Sensitivity analysis was performed to estimate the impact of DMP development and implementation costs on cost-effectiveness. ResultsPatients in the most comprehensive DMPs increased their physical activity more (except for primary CVR prevention) and had higher smoking cessation rates. The incremental QALYs ranged from –0.032 to 0.038 across all diseases. From a societal perspective, the most comprehensive DMPs decreased costs in primary CVR prevention (certainty 57%), secondary CVR prevention (certainty 88%), and both types of CVR prevention (certainty 98%). Moreover, the implementation of comprehensive DMPs led to QALY gains in secondary CVR prevention (certainty 92%) and COPD (certainty 69%). ConclusionsThe most comprehensive DMPs for CVR and COPD have the potential to be cost saving, effective, or cost-effective compared with the least comprehensive DMPs. The challenge for Dutch stakeholders is to find the optimal mixture of interventions that is most suited for each target group.

Eficacia y seguridad del uso de medicamentos para la cesación de la adicción al tabaco: revisión de guías de práctica clínica

To review the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in the context of clinical practice guidelines (CPG). A systematic review of CPGs was conducted, aimed at adapting recommendations for Colombia following the ADAPTE methodology. Outcomes comprised 6-months or higher smoking cessation rates and intervention safety. CPGs were peer-assessed based on DELBI. Results from aggregative studies included in selected CPGs were obtained. Pharmacotherapy doubles smoking cessation rates as compared with placebos (rates @25% and up to 27 % when combined with counseling). The highest efficacy was observed for ansyolitic and antidepressive drugs (8.7 % to 19.4 %), and the lowest for nicotine replacement therapy -NRT- (5.2 % to 12.9 %). Nortriptiline shows an efficacy similar to that of bupropion (@10%). With limited exceptions, combined pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation has shown no significant increase in cessation rates. NRT, varenicline, bupropion and nortriptiline are effective treatments for smoking cessation. Combination of drugs deserves further clinical evidence and should be restricted to highly dependent smokers or initial therapeutic failure. Cost-effectiveness analyses might help to introduce smoking cessation programs in low and middle income countries.

Biochemically verified smoking cessation and vaping beliefs among vape store customers.

To evaluate biochemically verified smoking status and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use behaviors and beliefs among a sample of customers from vapor stores (stores specializing in ENDS). A cross-sectional survey of 215 adult vapor store customers at four retail locations in the Midwestern United States; a subset of participants (n = 181) also completed exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) testing to verify smoking status. Outcomes evaluated included ENDS preferences, harm beliefs, use behaviors, smoking history and current biochemically verified smoking status. Most customers reported starting ENDS as a means of smoking cessation (86%), using newer-generation devices (89%), vaping non-tobacco/non-menthol flavors (72%) and using e-liquid with nicotine strengths of ≤20 mg/ml (72%). There was a high rate of switching (91.4%) to newer-generation ENDS among those who started with a first-generation product. Exhaled CO readings confirmed that 66% of the tested sample had quit smoking. Among those who continued to smoke, mean cigarettes per day decreased from 22.1 to 7.5 (P <0.001). People who reported vaping longer [odds ratio (OR) = 4.659, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.001-10.846], using newer-generation devices (OR = 2.950, 95% CI = 1.037-8.395) and using non-tobacco and non-menthol flavors (OR = 2.626, 95% CI = 1.133-6.085) were more likely to have quit smoking. Among vapor store customers in the United States who use electronic nicotine delivery devices to stop smoking, vaping longer, using newer-generation devices and using non-tobacco and non-menthol flavored e-liquid appear to be associated with higher rates of smoking cessation.