Professor Fujian Song Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich
Abstract
Background: Smokers receiving support in specialist centres tend to have a higher short-term quit rate, compared to those receiving support in other settings from professionals for whom smoking cessation is only a part of their work. We investigated the difference in longer-term abstinence after short-term smoking cessation treatment in different settings.
Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a trial that included 1,088 short-term quitters from specialist stop smoking clinics, and 316 from non-specialist cessation services. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association between continuous smoking abstinence from four to 12 months and the type of smoking cessation services, adjusted for possible confounding factors.
Results: The proportion of abstinence from four to 12 months was higher in short-term quitters from specialist core services compared to those from non-specialist services (39% vs. 32%). After adjusting for a range of participant characteristics and smoking variables, the specialist core service was significantly associated with a higher rate of longer-term smoking abstinence (odds ratio 1.48, 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.00; P=0.011).
Conclusions: Longer-term smoking relapse appeared to be reduced in smokers who received support from specialist smoking cessation advisors, compared to those who received support from non-specialist advisors.
Source of funding: NIHR HTA (project 09/91/36)
Declaration of interest: No conflict of interest to declare
