Research

A systematic review of longitudinal population-based studies on the predictors of smoking cessation in adolescent and young adult smokers
According to a study published in Tobacco Control, five factors predict smoking cessation among youth and young adults. Researchers systematically reviewed smoking cessation studies to determine what factors predict smoking cessation in individuals aged ten to 29. The results show that not having friends who smoke, not having the intention to smoke in the future, resisting peer pressure to smoke, being older at time of smoking onset, and having negative beliefs about smoking predict smoking cessation. Read more here.

Providing accurate safety information may increase a smoker's willingness to use nicotine replacement therapy as part of a quit attempt
Smokers who have misperceptions about the safety of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) would consider using NRT to quit smoking if they were given corrective information, according to new research. Researchers surveyed smokers on their perceptions of NRT safety and efficacy, and found that misperceptions were common; however, over 50% of the participants said that they would be more likely to use NRT if they were given information that addresses their concerns. The authors suggest that better educating smokers on effective smoking cessation methods is an opportunity to increase NRT use and increase the amount of successful long-term quit attempts. Read more here and read the study abstract found in Addictive Behaviors here.

Menthol may make it tougher to stop smoking
In a recent study, researchers analyzed cross-sectional data from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey to determine smoking cessation rates among those who smoke menthol versus non-menthol cigarettes. The results showed that smoking menthol cigarettes was negatively associated with smoking cessation, with differences among some racial subgroups. The authors state that these results support recent calls to ban menthol cigarettes. Read more here and read the study abstract in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine here.

Smokers with comorbid conditions need help from their doctors to quit
Results from a new study show that smokers who struggle with alcohol, drug, and mental disorders stand to benefit from smoking cessation counseling provided by their primary care doctor. Researchers surveyed smokers with comorbid conditions to find out if they had spoken to their primary care physician in the past year about smoking cessation and whether they had subsequently quit smoking. The results show that smokers with comorbid conditions who had spoken to their physician had a 31.3% chance of quitting, compared to only 6% of smokers with comorbid conditions who had not spoken to their physician. The researchers hope that the study results will be incorporated into clinical practice guidelines so that primary care physicians realize the important role they play in encouraging their patients to quit smoking. Read more here and read the study abstract found in Nicotine and Tobacco Research here.

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Reports

Quit-smoking fact sheet now available for clinicians based on 2010 Surgeon General's Report, "How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease"
A new one-page fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) summarizes the findings from How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General, which was issued in December 2010. Available in English and Spanish, the fact sheet provides simple talking points and key information to help medical providers talk to their patients about quitting tobacco use. This new document is part of an array of consumer booklets, highlight sheets, videos, and other resources that have been developed to make the report’s findings readily accessible to the public. Click here to access the new fact sheet for clinicians.

Division of Public Health Services develops tailored Text for TIPS service for New Hampshire residents (NH)
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has created Text for TIPS, a service that sends customized advice via text messages to New Hampshire residents who are seeking assistance with tobacco cessation. Participants can also receive daily recorded advice by telephone and will eventually be able to sign up for customized email advice. This project is part of the New Hampshire Tobacco Helpline, a free counseling service for those trying to quit smoking. Read more here, or click here to view the Tobacco Helpline’s website.

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