Smoking Cessation Treatment Program Research Articles

Comparison of smoking behaviors and associated factors between HIV-infected and uninfected men in Guilin, China: a case-control study.

Smoking is highly prevalent among HIV-infected individuals and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Studies on smoking among HIV-infected individuals in China, especially compared to uninfected individuals, are scarce. This study aimed to investigate and compare the prevalence and factors associated with smoking between HIV-infected and uninfected men in Guilin, China. A survey was conducted among 1,395 HIV-infected men at Guilin Third People's Hospital from June to December 2022, with a 1:2 age (±1 year) and education-matched control group of 2,790 HIV-uninfected men, whose data were collected from March to August 2023. Both groups completed an online questionnaire on smoking behaviors and relevant characteristics, with a comparative analysis of associated factors conducted using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regressions. The rates of former smokers were comparable between HIV-infected and uninfected men [12.3% (95% CI: 10.7-13.9%) vs. 12.0% (95% CI: 10.9-13.1%)], but the current smoking rate was significantly higher in the infected group than in the uninfected group [37.6% (95% CI: 35.2-40.0%) vs. 27.6% (95% CI: 25.9-29.3%), p < 0.05]. In both groups, the following factors were significantly associated with smoking: higher income, presence of chronic diseases, negative coping styles, lower social support, and having depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Additionally, in HIV-infected men, the following factors were exclusively associated with smoking: heterosexual HIV transmission route, lower CD4+ T cell count, longer duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and drug use. HIV-infected men had higher smoking rates than their uninfected counterparts, indicating that HIV diagnosis may be a critical timing to initiate behavioral changes and deliver smoking cessation interventions. Furthermore, multiple demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors were associated with smoking, indicating the need to develop and implement comprehensive smoking cessation prevention and intervention programs.

Correlates of Nicotine Dependence Among Current Cigarette Smokers in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The level of dependence on nicotine, the main addictive chemical in tobacco, is a substance-related disorder that can be used to characterize diverse populations of cigarette smokers and to determine the effectiveness of individualized smoking cessation intervention programs. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the correlates of nicotine dependence among currently established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among a cohort of current established cigarette smokers (≥ 100 sticks in a lifetime and someday/everyday cigarette smokers) in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: Nicotine dependence (ND) was measured using the Fagerstrom scale; independent measures were demographics, harm perception, binge alcohol drinking, and past year internalizing and externalizing problems. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the factors associated with severe nicotine dependence. RESULTS: The analytical sample was drawn from 487 adults. Within our sample, 69%, 27%, and 3.9% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (p = 0.02), whereas among daily cigarette smokers, 48.1%, 44.3%, and 7.6% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (p &lt;0.001). In the regression analysis, older age (aOR:1.03; 95% CI:1.01,1.06) and being male (vs. female) (aOR:3.70; 95% CI:1.58,8.15), and reduced cigarette harm perceptions (aOR:2.85; 95% CI: 1.75,4.66) were associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ND. CONCLUSION: Older age, male sex, and those with reduced harm perceptions regarding cigarette use had increased odds of moderate/severe ND. Our preliminary findings provide baseline results characterizing use behaviors among relatively understudied current-established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. CONTRIBUTIONS: All Authors were involved in the conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, writing–review and editing, and project administration.

Correlates of Nicotine Dependence Among Current Cigarette Smokers in Nigeria

BACKGROUND:_ _The level of dependence on nicotine, the main addictive chemical in tobacco, is a substance-related disorder that can be utilized to characterize diverse populations of cigarette smokers and also to determine the effectiveness of individualized smoking cessation intervention programs. AIM: This study investigates the correlates of nicotine dependence among current established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. SETTINGS:_ _We conducted a cross-sectional survey among a cohort of current established cigarette smokers (100+ sticks in a lifetime and someday/everyday cigarette smokers) in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: The dependent measure was nicotine dependence (ND) using the Fagerstrom scale; independent measures were demographics, harm perception, binge alcohol drinking, and past-year internalizing and externalizing problems. Logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with severe nicotine dependence. RESULTS: The analytic sample was drawn from 487 adults. Within our sample, 69%, 27%, and 3.9% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (_p-value_: 0.02); while among daily cigarette smokers, 48.1%, 44.3%, and 7.6% had low, moderate and severe ND levels, respectively (_p-value_: &lt;0.001). In the regression analysis, older age (aOR:1.03; 95% CI:1.01,1.06) and being male (vs, female) (aOR:3.70; 95% CI:1.58,8.15), and reduced cigarette harm perceptions (aOR:2.85; 95% CI: 1.75,4.66) were associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ND. CONCLUSION: Older age, males, and those with reduced harm perceptions about cigarette use had increased odds of moderate/severe ND. Our preliminary findings provide baseline results characterizing use behaviors among relatively understudied current established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. CONTRIBUTIONS: All Authors were involved inConceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Writing - Review and Editing and Project Administration.

Effectiveness of the QuitSure Smartphone App for Smoking Cessation: Findings of a Prospective Single Arm Trial.

Digital therapies, especially smartphone apps for active and continuous smoking cessation support, are strongly emerging as an alternative smoking cessation therapy. In the Indian context, there is a growing interest in the use of app-based smoking cessation programs; however, there is limited evidence regarding their effectiveness in achieving long-term continuous abstinence. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term abstinence effect (up to 30-d abstinence postprogram completion) of a smartphone app, QuitSure, for smoking cessation in active smokers from India. In this prospective single-arm study, participants who signed up for the QuitSure app were enrolled in this study. The primary end point was the prolonged abstinence (PA) rate from weeks 1 to 4 (day 7 to day 30). Furthermore, data for withdrawal symptoms, relapse reasons, and reasons for not continuing the program were also assessed. The quit rate was calculated considering only the participants who followed up and completed the survey sent to them (per protocol) at day 7 and at day 30, respectively. The PA rate at day 7 was found to be 64.5% (111/172; 95% CI 56% to 72%), and the PA rate at day 30 was found to be 55.8% (72/129; 95% CI 45% to 65%). Within the 7-day abstinence period, 60.4% (67/111) of the participants did not have any withdrawal symptoms. The most common mild withdrawal symptoms were mild sleep disturbance (21/111, 18.9%), mild digestive changes (19/111, 17.1%), and coughing (17/111, 15.3%). Severe withdrawal symptoms were rare, with only 5.4% (6/111) experiencing them. For those achieving 30-day postprogram abstinence, 85% (61/72) had no mild withdrawal symptoms, and 99% (71/72) had no severe withdrawal symptoms. Among successful quitters at day 7, a total of 72.1% (80/111) reported minimal to no cravings, which increased to 88% (63/72) at day 30. Furthermore, 78% (56/72) of those with PA at day 30 reported no change in weight or reduced weight. Among participants experiencing relapse, 48% (28/58) cited intense cravings, 28% (16/58) mentioned facing a tragedy, and 26% (15/58) reported relapsing due to alcohol consumption. The PA rates as a result of the QuitSure program were found to be better than those reported in the results of other smoking-cessation app programs' studies. The QuitSure app yields high PA rates and ameliorates symptoms associated with smoking cessation. In order to obtain conclusive evidence regarding the effectiveness and efficacy of the QuitSure program, future research should include appropriate control measures. Nevertheless, the QuitSure program can serve as a valuable adjunct to a conventional smoking cessation treatment program to aid sustained abstinence.

Smoking cessation and its significant role in the Indian scenario.

Given the increased health dangers of tobacco use, particularly in developing countries, smoking cessation intervention is crucially important. The aim of this study is to determine and assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive smoking cessation intervention program, incorporating behavior modification, counseling, and pharmacologic treatments, in the context of the Indian scenario. The process of initiating smoking or tobacco cessation begins with the evaluation of the distinct stages that smokers undergo as part of their journey toward behavioral change. There are five different levels of preparation for quitting smoking, i.e., i) not prepared (pre-contemplation); ii) unsure (contemplation); iii) prepared (preparation); iv) action; and v) maintenance. Behavior modification and counseling are essential. The "5 A's"-based intervention uses ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange as part of its strategy. First-line treatments such as nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline, as well as second-line treatments such as clonidine, cytisine, and nortriptyline, are the foundation of pharmacologic care. Every healthcare professional has a duty to help smokers stop using tobacco, and the intervention should be both therapeutic and diagnostic. Combining behavioral and social support yields the best results, along with pharmacotherapy whenever needed.

Cost-Effectiveness of a Comprehensive Primary Care Smoking Treatment Program

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the U.S. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness from a healthcare system perspective of a comprehensive primary care intervention to reduce smoking rates. This pragmatic trial implemented electronic health record prompts during primary care visits and employed certified tobacco cessation specialists to offer proactive outreach and smoking cessation treatment to patients who smoke. The data, analyzed in 2022, included 10,683 patients in the smoking registry from 2017 to 2020. Pre-post analyses compared intervention costs to treatment engagement, successful self-reported smoking cessation, and acute health care utilization (urgent care, emergency department visits, and inpatient hospitalization). Cost per quality-adjusted life year was determined by applying conversion factors obtained from the tobacco research literature to the cost per patient who quit smoking. Tobacco cessation outreach, medication, and counseling costs increased from $2.64 to $6.44 per patient per month, for a total post-implementation intervention cost of $500,216. Smoking cessation rates increased from 1.3% pre-implementation to 8.7% post-implementation, for an incremental effectiveness of 7.4%. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $628 (95% CI: $568, $695) per person who quit smoking, and $905 (95% CI: $822, $1,001) per quality-adjusted life year gained. Acute health care costs decreased by an average of $42 (95% CI: -$59, $145) per patient per month for patients in the smoking registry. Implementation of a comprehensive and proactive smoking cessation outreach and treatment program for adult primary care patients who smoke meets typical cost-effectiveness thresholds for healthcare.

Short-term effects of national smoking cessation service on smoking-related disease prevalence and healthcare costs: Experience from the National Health Insurance Service Smoking Cessation Intervention Program in Korea.

We measured the short-term clinical and economic impacts of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) smoking cessation program, which subsidizes the cost of pharmacotherapy and medical consultations, by comparing the changes in prevalence and healthcare costs of smoking-related diseases among cessation service users, non-users, and never smokers. Smokers who used the cessation service from 2015 to 2017 were included (n=779315). We used claims data from the NHIS, a mandatory, single-payer insurance covering the entire Korean population, to determine the number of patients with selected diseases, their healthcare utilization, and medical costs, and compared these amounts in the one year before and after enrollment. For further comparison, we also estimated disease prevalence and medical costs in matched controls by age, sex, income, and residential area, including never smokers and smokers who never used the cessation program. Across all 15 selected diseases, the number of patients, days spent in the hospital, and medical costs for 1 year were consistently higher after service enrollment than before. This pattern was observed for both men and women. Notably, decreased prevalence and medical costs for pneumonia were observed among individuals aged <50 years. Healthcare utilization for any kind of disease for 1 year was 97.7%, 91.1%, and 88.8% among cessation service users, never smokers, and smokers who did not use the cessation service, respectively. The disease-specific prevalence was also highest and increased more in the cessation service users compared with the control groups. Cessation service users were more likely to seek healthcare. Increased healthcare utilization in the first year after cessation service use may have resulted from smoking-related conditions that led individuals to attempt smoking cessation.

Developing a Collaborative, Team-Based Smoking Cessation Treatment Program in an Outpatient Oncology Setting.

Because clinical specialists often lack time and training to address secondary health issues such as smoking cessation, the National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3I) has mobilized cancer centers to develop systems for treating patients' tobacco dependence. One university-based cancer center was able to develop a program that formalized smoking treatment using a collaborative, multidisciplinary care team with overlapping expertise in cancer care, medication management, and tobacco cessation. Program planners delivered tobacco cessation services in the outpatient setting by automating identification of eligible patients using a tobacco registry in the electronic health records, directly involving oncology pharmacists in medication oversight, using dedicated tobacco treatment specialists to provide cessation services, and engaging oncologists through active communications protocols. Evaluators used Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model as the guiding framework for a qualitative assessment of program development and implementation. Evaluators also measured provider satisfaction and utilization of services, program reach, and smoking cessation outcomes 6 months post enrollment. During the evaluation period (July 1, 2018-September 30, 2019), the smoking cessation program engaged 96% of eligible patients (n = 214 of 223 eligible); 82% of those enrolled in the program (n = 183). At 6-month follow-up, 29.1% of enrolled patients self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence (n = 53) and 34.9% (n = 64) reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence (intent-to-treat rates). Using a team-based approach that leverages individual expertise and interprofessional collaboration to provide patient-centered treatment, a smoking cessation program can identify and treat eligible patients in specialty clinics.

Incidence and mortality of lung cancer in 2018 and the temporal trends from 2010 to 2018 in Henan province, China: a population-based registry study.

BackgroundThe disease burden of lung cancer is high in Henan province, China, it is out of the utmost significance to figure the current epidemic status and temporal trend of lung cancer for effective prevention and control.MethodsThe qualified data was obtained from the Henan Provincial Central Cancer Registry of China, covering 30.51% of the whole population. Incidence, mortality, proportions, and cumulative rates (among patients aged 0–74 years old) of lung cancer by areas, sex and age groups were estimated. The world Segi’s standard population was applied to calculate the age-standardized rate. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) to evaluate temporal trends from 2010 to 2018.ResultsIn 2018, there were about 55,344 new cases of lung cancer in Henan province, with the crude incidence of 50.75/100,000, the age-standardized incidence rate by world standard (Segi’s) population (ASIRW) of 37.14/100,000, and the cumulative rate of 4.57%. About 41,782 people died from lung cancer in 2018, with the crude mortality rate of 38.31/100,000, the age-standardized mortality rate by world standard (Segi’s) population (ASMRW) of 27.09/100,000, and the cumulative rate of 3.22%. The age-specific incidence and mortality of lung cancer increased gradually as age increased and reached the peak at the age of 85+ years. The overall ASIRW (AAPC =0.3, P=0.531) and ASMRW (AAPC =−0.2, P=0.687) remained stable from 2010 to 2018, but decreased in urban areas from 2014 to 2018 (APC for ASIRW =−4.7, P=0.023; APC for ASMRW =−5.3, P=0.012). From 2010 to 2018, the incidence rate increased in the rural population aged 75+ years old (AAPC =4.2, P=0.023).ConclusionsThe incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer significantly decreased in urban areas partly due to the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China. Nonetheless, the disease burden remains high, especially in males and elderly population. Comprehensive prevention and control programs, such as smoking cessation intervention, screening, early diagnosis and early treatment programs, need to be implemented to reduce the burden of lung cancer.

An Effective Strategy to Activate Physicians to Promote High Cardiovascular Risk Patients to Quit Smoking.

Adult patients cared for by cardiologists, neurologists, and diabetologists are highly vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are worsened by smoking. In the past, physicians of these three specialties at major hospitals in Taiwan always referred patients to family medicine and chest medicine departments for smoking cessation programs. However, the participation rate in these programs was unsatisfactory. To encourage cardiologists, neurologists, and diabetologists to provide smoking cessation treatment services (SCTSs) to their patients through an annual contest. Sequential expert meetings, group training, a contest to reward service quantity and abstinence rate, and an annual awards ceremony were held over the past 3 years. More than 350 cardiologists, neurologists, and diabetologists were certified to provide SCTSs, and in the second half of 2020, 3716 high CVD risk patients entered smoking cessation treatment programs, with an abstinence rate exceeding 30% at 3 months. The strategy used in this study was effective in overcoming physician inertia to provide SCTSs and encourage high CVD risk smokers to quit smoking.

Interventions for Increasing Digital Equity and Access (IDEA) among rural patients who smoke: Study protocol for a pragmatic randomized pilot trial

BackgroundCigarette smoking prevalence is higher among rural compared with urban adults, yet access to cessation programming is reduced. The Increasing Digital Equity and Access (IDEA) study aims to evaluate three digital access and literacy interventions for promoting engagement with an online evidence-based smoking cessation treatment (EBCT) program among rural adults. MethodsThe pilot trial will use a pragmatic, three-arm, randomized, parallel-group design with participants recruited from a Midwest community-based health system in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. All participants will receive an online, 12-week, EBCT program, and written materials on digital access resources. Participants will be stratified based on state of residence and randomly assigned with 1:1:1 allocation to one of three study groups: (1) Control Condition-no additional study intervention (n = 30); (2) Loaner Digital Device-Bluetooth enabled iPad with data plan coverage loaned for the study duration (n = 30); (3) Loaner Digital Device + Coaching Support–loaner device plus up to six, 15–20 min motivational interviewing-based coaching calls to enhance participants' digital access and literacy (n = 30). All participants will complete study assessments at baseline and 4- and 12-weeks post-randomization. Outcomes are cessation program and trial engagement, biochemically confirmed smoking abstinence, and patient experience. ResultsA rural community advisory committee was formed that fostered co-design of the study protocol for relevance to rural populations, including the trial design and interventions. ConclusionStudy findings, processes, and resources may have relevance to other health systems aiming to foster digital inclusion in smoking cessation and chronic disease management programs and clinical trials in rural communities.

INFLUENCE OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, STRESS, SELF-EFFICACY AND SELF- ESTEEM ON SMOKING CESSATION ATTEMPTS AMONG HEAVY SMOKERS IN A SOUTH INDIAN ADULT POPULATION – A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYTICAL STUDY

Objectives - Despite making considerable strides in smoking cessation intervention programs, the high failure rates of these cessation methods have raised concerns and asserted the need to re-strategize these programs. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the role of depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and self-efcacy in the determination of successful cessation attempts. This study aimed to investigate this association among heavy smokers in a south Indian adult population. Materials And Methods- A cross-sectional study was conducted on 557 heavy smokers, recruited from the OPD of KLE Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore over one year by convenience sampling. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress status of the participants were assessed using the DASS-21 scale. Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and General self-efcacy scale were used to assess the self-esteem and self-efcacy of the participants respectively. The Outcome variable was a self-reported Successful 24-hour abstinence from Smoking. The association between these variables was assessed using Multivariate logistic regression on SPSS 24 version, with a p-value set at 0.05 Results- Smokers with anxiety and stress were less likely to sustain a successful 24 hour quit attempt. Subjects with higher self-esteem were twice as likely to give a successful attempt at quitting the habit as opposed to those with low self-esteem. Conclusion - Anxiety, Stress, and Self-esteem inuence smoking cessation attempts in smokers, hence it warrants the need to factor in these variables while devising cessation therapies for better success.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to tobacco smoking in undergraduate students in a selected university of Bangladesh

Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the world, and is responsible for many premature deaths. The prevalence of smoking and smoking-related mortality are still high in developing and low-income countries. This survey was aimed to determine knowledge, perception and practices of tobacco smoking behavior in the undergraduate students of Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, Bangladesh.Methods: A descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted among the Health Sciences students during January 2018. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection from 260 undergraduate students. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 (Statistical Package for Social Studies).Results: The prevalence of overall current tobacco smokers was 12.3% (21.2% for males and 0.9% for females). Nonsmokers had a better knowledge than smokers regarding smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer (98.4%; versus 92.9%; p=0.038), association between second hand smoke and serious illness (94.2% versus 82.9%; p&lt;0.001) and likelihood of dying earlier than nonsmokers (84.2% versus 61.4%; p&lt;0.001). In general, students had positive antismoking perception.Conclusions: Despite having a good understanding of the detrimental effects of tobacco smoking, smoking prevalence among students at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences is high. To reduce smoking among university students, effective smoking prevention and cessation intervention programs are necessary.

Underutilization of guideline-concordant smoking cessation treatments in surgical patients: Lessons from a learning health system.

While smoking is a well-established risk factor for surgical complications, it is unclear how frequently guideline-concordant tobacco treatments are prescribed to surgical patients. In this cross-sectional study including 164673 unique patients evaluated in outpatient surgery clinics at a single institution in 2020, despite a relatively high smoking prevalence (14.7%), guideline-concordant treatment rates were very low, with only 12.7% of patients receiving pharmacotherapy and 31.7% receiving any treatment. Addressing disparities in smoking cessation treatments are critical given the disproportionate impact of smoking on surgical outcomes.

Subtypes of smokers in a randomized controlled trial of a web-based smoking cessation program and their role in predicting intervention non-usage attrition: Implications for the development of tailored interventions

IntroductionWeb-based smoking interventions hold potential for smoking cessation; however, many of them report low intervention usage (i.e., high levels of non-usage attrition). One strategy to counter this issue is to tailor such interventions to user subtypes if these can be identified and related to non-usage attrition outcomes. The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to identify and describe a smoker typology in participants of a web-based smoking cessation program and (2) to explore subtypes of smokers who are at a higher risk for non-usage attrition (i.e., early dropout times). MethodsWe conducted secondary analyses of data from a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) that investigated effects of a web-based Cognitive Bias Modification intervention in adult smokers. First, we conducted a two-step cluster analysis to identify subtypes of smokers based on participants' baseline characteristics (including demographics, psychological and smoking-related variables, N = 749). Next, we conducted a discrete-time survival analysis to investigate the predictive value of the subtypes on time until dropout. ResultsWe found three distinct clusters of smokers: Cluster 1 (25.2%, n = 189) was characterized by participants being relatively young, highly educated, unmarried, light-to-moderate smokers, poly-substance users, and relatively high scores on sensation seeking and impulsivity; Cluster 2 (41.0%, n = 307) was characterized by participants being older, with a relatively high socio-economic status (SES), moderate-to-heavy smokers and regular drinkers; Cluster 3 (33.8%, n = 253) contained mostly females of older age, and participants were further characterized by a relatively low SES, heavy smoking, and relatively high scores on hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, depression, and alcohol use. Additionally, Cluster 1 was more likely to drop out at the early stage of the intervention compared to Cluster 2 (adjusted Hazard Ratio (HRadjusted) = 1.51, 95% CI = [1.25, 1.83]) and Cluster 3 (HRadjusted = 1.52, 95% CI = [1.25, 1.86]). ConclusionsWe identified three clusters of smokers that differed on a broad range of characteristics and on intervention non-usage attrition patterns. This highlights the heterogeneity of participants in a web-based smoking cessation program. Also, it supports the idea that such interventions could be tailored to these subtypes to prevent non-usage attrition. The subtypes of smokers identified in this study need to be replicated in the field of e-health outside the context of RCT; based on the smoker subtypes identified in this study, we provided suggestions for developing tailored web-based smoking cessation intervention programs in future research.

Exploring the role of telehealth: A novel approach to group-based smoking cessation treatment for men incarcerated in a rural state prison

Introduction Tobacco smoking remains an important public health issue in the United States (US), specifically among people who are incarcerated. There is little to no information about smoking behaviors of incarcerated people in rural areas and there is a lack of resources for smoking cessation interventions in rural settings. Telehealth might be efficient for delivering care to incarcerated people in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of delivering group-based smoking cessation treatment via telehealth to incarcerated male smokers in a rural prison. Methods A 6-week group-based smoking cessation treatment program was conducted with 1-month follow up. Video conferencing was used from Weeks 2–5 to deliver treatment. A cross-sectional survey was administered collecting measures including criminal justice experience, smoking behaviors, withdrawal and triggers, mental health, physical health, and substance use. Baseline exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels were collected at Session 1, and a final CO level at Session 6 and 1-month follow-up. Results Twenty (n = 20) incarcerated male smokers were recruited from a rural prison facility. The majority of the inmates were White (85%). Approximately, 80% of the inmates smoked about 20 or more cigarettes per day, and on average smoked for 28 years (SD = 9). Most inmates scored a moderate or high dependence score on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. Conclusion Telehealth programs such as video conferencing smoking cessation treatment ought to be implemented to reduce tobacco-related disparities among incarcerated smokers housed in rural prisons.

Behavioral interventions for smoking cessation among adolescents: a rapid review and meta-analysis for the Korea Preventive Services Task Force.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral smoking cessation interventions among adolescents.Methods MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, CINAHL, KoreaMed, and KMbase were searched from inception to June 2020. Systematic reviews (SRs) or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were initially searched to perform a rapid SR. After selecting the final SR, RCTs after the publication year of the selected SR were searched. The primary outcome was smoking status after at least 6 months of follow-up, and the secondary outcome was smoking status at 4 weeks. Two reviewers independently assessed the selected studies’ quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The meta-analysis utilized a Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect model reporting the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The subgroup analysis utilized Cochrane’s Q.Results Thirty-two RCTs (11,637 participants) from a single SR were meta-analyzed. After 6 months of follow-up, the intervention group had significantly higher abstinence rates (RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.20−1.41; I2=26.46%). At 4 weeks of follow-up, the intervention group also had significantly higher abstinence rates (RR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.49–2.47; I2=0.00%). The subgroup analysis indicated a significant difference in the abstinence rate according to the study setting and the period between intervention completion and follow-up.Conclusion This review showed that adolescent behavioral smoking cessation intervention programs significantly increased abstinence rates compared to the usual care.

Awareness of Smoking Cessation Support Services in Korea: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective Since the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, several smoking cessation policies have been implemented to lower the smoking rates. Thisstudy sought to understand the general public’s awarenessrelated to smoking cessation support services in Korea and figure out differences in services’ awareness according to socio-demographic characteristics. Methods Cross-sectional approach from the survey of how Ulsan metropolitan citizens perceived the Korean smoking cessation policies was used for analyses(n=700). Results In this study, 86.7% acknowledged the existence of the smoking cessation clinic service in the public health center, and 39.0% knewthe specific contents of the service. While 70.6% and 50.3% of the respondents knewabout the smoking cessation treatment program of the medical institution and the Quit Line respectively, 45.4%, 33.4%, 29.0%, and 27.7% of the participants identified the smoking cessation camp of the smoking cessation support center, general and professional type, the visiting smoking cessation support service, Quit Bus, and the smoking cessation support service for serviceperson and conscripted policeman respectively. There were statistically significant differences between smokers and non-smokers regarding awareness of the smoking cessation support services (except for the Quit Bus). There were also statistically significant differences between male and female participantsregarding awareness of all the smoking cessation supportservices. Conclusions The general public’s awareness regarding various smoking cessation support services to provide foundational data in order to promote policy implementations. It is essential to conduct a regular awareness survey on these supportservices and produce publicity strategies based on thisstudy’sresults. Keywords: smoking cessation; smoking cessation support services; socioeconomic factors, surveys and questionnaires, Republic of Korea

Gender differences and smoking cessation in the Japanese smoking cessation treatment program.

Gender differences and smoking cessation in the Japanese smoking cessation treatment program.

Chinese- and English-speaking adult current smokers\u2019 perspectives on smoking and culturally and linguistically appropriate cessation: a qualitative analysis

BackgroundA lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate smoking cessation intervention programs exist among Chinese-Canadian communities. Smoking cessation programs that are provided in Canadian mainstream culture and language have shown limited effectiveness in altering smoking behaviours of smokers from these communities. Our study aimed to explore and compare smoking patterns, knowledge, beliefs, and risk perceptions of adult current smokers between Chinese- and English-speaking Canadians participating in a culturally and linguistically tailored smoking cessation program.Methods and DesignA qualitative study embedded in an effectiveness study using an 8-month quasi-experimental design, was conducted to compare the effects of four one-on-one culturally and linguistically sensitive consultation sessions (intervention group) and three telephone follow-up assessments (control group). All participants were provided take-home educational materials (designed exclusively for this study), and completed study questionnaires at baseline and 6-month post-intervention. An 8-month post-intervention phone assessment was conducted with all participants to assess cessation progress and maintenance.Participants70 Chinese- and English-speaking adult (aged 19-80) current smokers (≥ 5 cigarettes per day) residing in the Greater Vancouver Area, Canada, were recruited between May 2018 and April 2019.Data analysisThematic analysis was conducted on self-reported qualitative information from study questionnaires and verbatim transcripts of in-person consultations and telephone follow-ups. Cultural- and demographic-related themes were considered.ResultsPerceptions of smoking patterns, smoking status, triggers, and barriers to smoking cessation were identified. Important elements of smoking cessation program, including facilitator characteristics, duration, procedures, cultural factors, and topics were also identified. Differences in perceptions of smoking were observed between gender and language groups. Stress was a major trigger for smoking in both language groups. An individual’s social network was reported as the largest barrier to successful cessation for Chinese-speaking participants.ConclusionsOur study provides knowledge and information to further examine the role of risk perception (realization of the possible harms of smoking) in smoking cessation to facilitate the development of future interventions that could more effectively promote smoking cessation among new immigrants and within ethnocultural communities. We found that our program was generally accepted by smokers in both language groups and the participants reported that they were able to apply the strategies learned in the intervention during their quit smoking plan.