Research

Non-smoking spouse, smoke-free workplace help quitters win
A recent study suggests that environmental factors may trump individual beliefs and behaviors in the quest to quit smoking. Researchers at Indiana University analyzed data from 327 Smoking Survey participants who had quit smoking as young adults. The distinctive characteristic of this study is that two-thirds of these participants were able to stay away from tobacco products for at least five years, enabling researchers to examine the environmental and behavioral factors associated with long-term successful quit attempts. The strongest predictors of a successful quit attempt were a non-smoking spouse and a smoke-free workplace, respectively. Click here to read more about the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health’s “First Look.”

Interventions during hospital stays can help motivate smokers to quit
A recent literature review has found that smokers who receive intensive cessation counseling during a hospital stay and regular follow-up are more likely to have a successful quit attempt. Researchers at the Cochrane Library reviewed 33 hospital-based smoking intervention studies involving 14,500 adults who had smoked cigarettes in the previous month. Each study utilized giving advice and/or behavioral counseling by a research nurse or cessation counselor, and about 75 percent of the studies included some kind of follow-up. The researchers classified interventions as intensive if they included at least 30 minutes of counseling during the hospital stay and follow-up phone calls for at least one month after discharge. They found that the odds of quitting increased by 65 percent at the six- to twelve-month mark, but only for these intensive interventions. To read more about the review published in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, click here.

Young smokers want to quit, but don’t seek proven treatment
A recent study has demonstrated that even though young adults are extremely interested in quitting smoking, they rarely use scientifically proven cessation methods. Researchers examined data from the 2005 National Health Interview survey, and compared young adults’ and adults’ responses to smoking-related questions. For both age groups use of any evidence-based behavioral treatment was less than five percent. Use of pharmacotherapy treatments differed substantially: 32 percent among adult smokers versus only 17 percent of young adult smokers. Click here to read more about the study, which will be published in the August edition of the American Journal of Public Health.

Reducing smoking – mixed messages and poor markers
Researchers at the Cochrane Library recently reviewed a few studies of programs that aimed at reducing the number of cigarettes smoked instead of eliminating smoking completely. Primary results indicate that six to nine percent of smokers that use nicotine replacement therapy are able to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke, versus a one to three percent of smokers in control groups with no nicotine replacement therapy. They also report that treatments encouraging reduced use do not appear to hinder smokers from quitting completely. Finally, they found no evidence that reducing cigarette use is directly associated with any health benefits, other than encouraging smokers to quit altogether. Click here to read more about the findings recently published in The Cochrane Library.

The rise and fall of tobacco control media campaigns, 1967-2006
By analyzing tobacco control media campaigns in six American states as well as those created by the American Legacy Foundation, researchers have identified various ways in which the tobacco industry has attempted to undermine these campaigns. Their strategies include preventing a campaign from being created, restricting message content or the intended target audience, eliminating the funding for the campaign and pursuing litigation. Such tactics are strategic moves to limit the effects of media campaigns, which have proven to be effective in reducing tobacco consumption. Click here to access the study, which was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Exposure to smoking cessation product ads helps smokers quit
Recent research suggests that the more anti-smoking magazine advertisements smokers see, the more likely they are to have a successful quit attempt. Researchers analyzed the consumer behavior and magazine habits of 28,303 current or former smokers and advertising data from 26 consumer magazines. Primary results revealed a surprising trend. Although purchasing the products advertised had some impact on quitting behavior, simply viewing the ads increased the likelihood of cessation. The researchers also determined that if smoking cessation companies increased their average annual spending on magazine ads by ten percent, 80,000 additional smokers would be able to successfully quit each year. To read more, click here.

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Resources

Smoking cessation advice from healthcare providers – Canada, 2005
Even though a smoker’s chance of a successful quit attempt increases after receiving cessation information and support from healthcare providers in various disciplines, only half of Canadian smokers who went to a provider in 2005 were advised to reduce or quit smoking. This report urges healthcare professionals to take greater advantage of opportunities to encourage their patients to quit smoking. Click here to access the full report, published in the July 20, 2007 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Projects

Ready to quit smoking? The state of Indiana wants to help.
The state of Indiana will spend $380,000 on an anti-smoking campaign, which will be implemented in conjunction with the 44-cent cigarette sales tax increase. The campaign is called “There’s Never Been a Better Time to Quit” and will offer a variety of services to encourage the state’s 1.1 million adult smokers to quit. Cessation services will include a free quitline and education at summer fairs and festivals. The state health commissioner also sent letters to a variety of healthcare professionals encouraging them to talk to their patients about the health risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting. To read more about the campaign, click here.

Oklahoma: First step to booting tobacco habit is a call away
Since its inception in 2003, the Oklahoma quitline has helped approximately 12,000 smokers in the state kick the habit. The quitline boasts a quit rate of 25%, in comparison to a success rate of 5% for smokers who do not seek help of any kind. Those who call have the opportunity to speak with a quit coach and can request information or nicotine replacement therapy. The quitline is staffed from seven o’clock in the morning to eleven o’clock at night, so smokers can call during a wide range of hours. Click here to read more.

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