Research

Characteristics of cigarette smokers who want to quit now versus quit later
A new study identified factors that predict smokers’ readiness to quit. Researchers divided participants (n=1,132) into two groups, Quit Now (those who intend to quit in the next 30 days) and Quit Later (those who intend to quit, but not in the next 30 days). The participants completed a mail survey and were interviewed over the telephone. Characteristics of those in the Quit Now group included younger age, stronger intentions to quit in the next six months, higher self-efficacy in coping with the temptation to smoke, and social support from significant others. Factors that predict readiness to quit are important to understand when designing smoking cessation programs. Click here to read the study abstract, which was published in Addictive Behaviors.

Light smokers benefit from nicotine-replacement medications
A recent study finds that light daily smokers (1-9 cigarettes) who contact telephone quitlines and are offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the form of gum or lozenges achieve higher quit rates compared to those who weren’t offered NRT. Quit rates were higher at both the seven and thirty day follow-up interview among those who were given NRT versus those not provided with NRT. Among those who continued to smoke, the number of cigarettes smoked increased during the follow-up for both groups, but not as much among those that were given NRT. This study provides evidence that offering smokers NRT through quitlines assists light smokers in achieving higher quit rates. Find out more here, or click here to read the study abstract published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

Walking cure: Strolls may help teen smokers to quit
According to a new study, exercise can assist some teens in quitting smoking. Researchers tracked 233 teens from 19 high schools in West Virginia and reported that those who increased the amount of days they exercised for twenty minutes were able to reduce the amount of cigarettes smoked. Teens were also found to be more likely to completely quit smoking if they participated in a combined smoking cessation and fitness program in which they engaged in physical activity for at least thirty minutes. This study indicates that physical activity and smoking cessation may be targeted effectively through dual interventions. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of combining these two types of interventions among teens. Click here to read more about this study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Click here to read the study abstract.

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Reports

CDC's education campaign returns second round of anti-smoking ads
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the second phase of its national tobacco education ad campaign, “Tips from Former Smokers.” The newest ads in this campaign depict real people whose lives have been affected profoundly by their smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. The first phase of the campaign launched in 2012 and was effective in motivating smokers to quit smoking and led to an increase in calls to the government’s toll-free quitlines by 132% compared to call volumes from the previous year during the same period of time. The new ads are airing from April 1 to June 23. Click here to access the new advertisements, as well as the many tools and resources available to public health organizations to help leverage the campaign to educate about the harms of smoking. To read the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ statement on this campaign, click here.

FDA to ease restrictions for smoking cessation products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will relax its restrictions on usage on labels for over the counter nicotine replacement products such as nicotine gum, patches and lozenges. Restrictions that will be lifted include the limit on how long the products can be used, and the instructions for use with concurrent tobacco use. Tobacco control advocates and health professionals support these changes, stating that current research indicates that the existing rules are creating a barrier for people attempting to quit smoking. Oftentimes, it takes several attempts to quit, and having to stop using smoking cessation products during times of relapse can interfere with a tobacco user's quitting process. The FDA's announcement will help smokers to use over the counter tobacco cessation products to quit safely and effectively. Click here to read more. To read a summary of FDA’s actions, click here. For consumer guidance on this issue, click here. Click here to access the Federal Register notice. Click here to read the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' statement on this action.

2012 Tobacco Cessation National Dissemination Project
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has released its final report on the 2012 Tobacco Cessation National Dissemination Project. The report highlights the Office Champions project which assisted fifty family medicine practices across the U.S. in making system changes to integrate tobacco cessation activities into daily office routines. Click here to access the full report.

Case study: Hospital patient tobacco cessation program
ActionToQuit released a case study, entitled “UKanQuit - The University of Kansas Hospital Patient Tobacco Cessation Program.” This publication highlights an institution that has developed a model tobacco screening and intervention service for patients. The case study provides insight into the structure and function of the UKanQuit Program; key strategies for establishing and maintaining successful hospital-based tobacco cessation services which include tobacco screening and intervention; strategies to integrate counseling, pharmaceutical and quitline services for tobacco cessation; and challenges and possible solutions in implementing tobacco cessation services. Click here to access the full report.

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