Dr Chizimuzo Okoli Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, USA
Dr Milan Khara Clinical Director, Vancouver General Hospital Smoking Cessation Clinic, Canada
Abstract
Background and objectives: Individuals with mental and/or substance use disorders are disproportionately affected by tobacco use, related disease, and mortality. This study provides smoking cessation outcomes of smokers with mental and/or substance use disorders referred to an intensive tobacco treatment program within mental health and addictions service settings in Vancouver, Canada.
Methods: The intervention combines 8-weeks of behavioural counseling and an additional (optional) 18-weeks of support group with pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. A retrospective analysis examined program participation data (N=1075) between September 2007 to March 2012. Seven-day point-prevalence of smoking abstinence (verified by expired carbon monoxide) was assessed at end-of-treatment.
Results: In the intent-to-treat analysis 23% (249/1075) achieved cessation at end-of-treatment. Among those completing the program (i.e., finished at least 8-weeks of behavioural counseling), 40% (249/623) achieved smoking cessation. Stopping smoking for 6-months or longer at the last attempt, lower nicotine dependence scores at baseline, and greater duration in the program were significant predictors of end-of-treatment smoking cessation.
Conclusions: If provided with evidence-based approaches to smoking cessation, smokers with mental and/or substance use disorders are able to stop smoking. The provision of tobacco treatment within mental health and addictions services can support these populations in their cessation efforts.
Source of funding: Health Canada.
Declaration of interest: Dr Chizimuzo Okoli has received consultation fees from Vancouver Coastal Health Authority in the past 3 years.
Dr Milan Khara has received consultation fees from Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson (makers of smoking cessation medications) in the last three years. All other authors report no conflicts of interest.
