Research

Adherence to treatment for tobacco dependence: Association with smoking abstinence and predictors of adherence
A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research shows that adherence to pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation is associated with abstinence from tobacco, and that early abstinence is a predictor for adherence. Researchers analyzed the results of two clinical trials where 2045 adult smokers were assigned to 12 weeks of varenicline, bupropion, or placebo treatment. Participants that took at least one dose of the assigned drug 80% of the days were counted as adhering to treatment, and carbon monoxide levels were used to assess smoking abstinence. The researchers found that there was a positive correlation between treatment adherence and tobacco abstinence among all treatment groups. Age, number of cigarettes smoked per day, and abstinence during the second week of treatment were all found to be predictors of adherence. Click here to read the study abstract.

Behavioral counseling and varenicline treatment for smoking cessation
A new study has found that proactive telephone-based counseling significantly increased smoking abstinence at three months compared to other behavioral programs. Smokers seeking cessation treatment were provided with a 12-week course of varenicline, and were randomly assigned to web-based counseling, telephone-based counseling, or a combination of both. Those receiving phone counseling were significantly more likely to report abstinence at three months than those in the other groups, although there was no difference between the groups after six months. These results suggest that phone counseling is the most effective cessation treatment for early cessation, but any of these therapies are valuable for long-term cessation when combined with varenicline. Click here to read the abstract of the study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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Reports

Tobacco cessation in substance use disorder treatment facilities: Single state agency tobacco policies
The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) has released a report examining state smoking policies in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities and the challenges associated with implementing such policies. The report shows that most states do not allow smoking at SUD facilities, and twelve states have specific policies banning smoking in these facilities. It also details the types of cessation resources available to those utilizing the facilities and treatment providers, such as training and toolkits for providers, quitlines, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling. These cessation services are usually provided through agencies other than state substance abuse agencies. Read the full report, or click here go to the NASADAD website.

Nicorette's new campaign to help smokers quit includes big contest
Nicorette, a manufacturer of several smoking cessation products, has announced that it will now offer a nicotine lozenge as well as increased internet support to help smokers quit. The lozenge is meant to dissolve quickly and help smokers deal with cravings, but must be kept away from children, who could be poisoned by the nicotine in them. Online support is offered through a Facebook group where smokers can share stories and network to help each other quit. Those that share stories can be entered into a contest to meet Dr. Drew Pinsky of Celebrity Rehab fame. Read more here.

Quit Line helps 10,000 MT smokers quit (MT)
Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is celebrating having one of the highest cessation success rates in the country. The state’s quitline has had 35,000 callers in the past six years, with 10,000 of those callers successfully quitting smoking. The Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program utilized help from physicians and dentists to refer patients to the quitline, which offers counseling, personalized quit plans, and free or reduced cost nicotine replacement therapy. Starting in May 2010, the quitline has added the cessation pharmaceutical bupropion to its available treatments. Read more here, or click here to visit the Montana Tobacco Quit Line website.

Smoking Quit Line braces for more calls (WA)
Health officials in Washington State are expecting an increase in calls to the state’s quitline following the $1 tax increase on cigarettes that went into effect at the beginning of May. The officials say that call volumes increased after a 62-cent tax hike a year earlier. Expecting a similar rise in calls this year, they estimate that about 19,000 adults will quit smoking due to the tax increase. The tax increase is part of a package that is intended to help balance the state budget, with the secondary goal of encouraging a reduction in smoking. The total state cigarette tax in Washington is now $3.03 per pack, making it the second-highest cigarette tax in the country. Read more here.

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International

Electronic cigarettes: A survey of users
An international survey of e-cigarette users in four countries indicates that many respondents have used e-cigarettes to quit smoking, but are worried about potential toxicity and health effects of the products. Eighty-one e-cigarette users answered open-ended questions from an internet survey regarding their use and opinions of the products. Participants reported using e-cigarettes to quit smoking, reduce their cigarette consumption, avoid disturbing others with smoke, and circumvent smokefree laws. They reported that the devices were useful in smoking cessation and reduction and that they enjoyed using the products, but expressed concern over unknown health effects and future legal changes that would alter their ability to use them. To address these concerns, the authors suggest that more research needs to be done on the health effects of e-cigarettes. Read the abstract of the study, published in BMC Public Health.

Number of smokers in Italy declines (Italy)
Italy’s High Institute of Health (ISS) has released a report indicating that 1.9 million fewer Italians are smoking than were a year ago. The report shows that 21.7% of the population smokes, with 23.9% of men and 19.7% of women being smokers. While there was a reduction in smoking among both sexes, the decline among females was smaller than among males, which some experts claim is evidence that women have a harder time quitting than men do. This year’s decline comes after an overall increase in smoking prevalence from 2008 to 2009, where the percentage of smokers rose from 22% to 25.4%. Click here to read more.

Mothers offered £650 to stub out tobacco (Scotland)
In an effort to decrease the number of women who smoke while pregnant, the Scottish government has proposed an incentive of £12.50 per week in grocery vouchers for those who abstain from smoking. Women who enroll in the program would be eligible for the vouchers during their entire pregnancy and for three months after. The initiative is based on two pilot tests where smokers were provided with grocery vouchers when lab tests showed they had remained abstinent from cigarette smoking. Supporters of the plan say that the financial incentives showed promising results in the pilot tests, increasing the chances of quitting in a country where only 3% of pregnant smokers quit during pregnancy. Opponents claim that the plan is a poor use of taxpayer money, and that women should quit smoking for their health and the health of their baby, not for small financial incentives. Read more here.

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