scholarly journals Psychologists and Smoking Cessation Intervention: Unrealised Potential

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-84
Author(s):  
Jenny Bowman ◽  
Amanda Fletcher ◽  
John Wiggers ◽  
Amy Anderson ◽  
Kathleen McElwaine ◽  
...  

Smoking cessation interventions during routine clinical encounters by health professionals have the potential to reach smokers and facilitate cessation. Although psychologists might appear to be ideal providers of such interventions, international research suggests that their provision is limited. This paper reports the results of a survey conducted in NSW, Australia, of psychologists’ (n = 72) smoking intervention practices, attitudes, and barriers to providing such care. Less than half of the respondents reported assessing smoking status for ‘all or nearly all’ of their clients. Across a range of smoking cessation intervention types, the most frequent response given indicated provision to ‘none or almost none’ of clients who smoked. Only 13% of respondents indicated even ‘advising cessation’ to ‘all or nearly all’ of their smoking clients. Barriers included concern about negative influence on the therapeutic relationship, inadequacy of training and lack of confidence to intervene. Respondents were less likely to provide intervention for smoking than for cannabis, methamphetamine ‘ice’, and alcohol. The study suggests that the potential of Australian psychologists to assist smokers to quit is not being realised, and that there is a need to address the barriers to care provision.

Author(s):  
Charmaine Chan ◽  
Kristyn Kamke ◽  
Freda Assuah ◽  
Sherine El-Toukhy

Abstract Although text-messaging interventions are effective for smoking cessation, few target teens in the USA and little is known about their effectiveness. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine correlates of dropout, response to smoking status prompts, and abstinence rates among subscribers of SmokeFreeTeen, a free, publicly available text-messaging smoking cessation intervention sponsored by the National Cancer Institute’s SmokeFree.Gov initiative, on quit day through 1 month follow-up. In a sample of teens (N = 2,685), aged 13–19, we examined demographics, smoking frequency, cigarettes smoked per day, prequit intervention time (i.e., maximum of 14 days of prequit day preparation), and number of quit attempts as correlates of response and abstinence rates among program initiators (i.e., participants who reached quit day but dropped out on or before intervention end) and completers (i.e., participants who reached quit day and completed the intervention). We also conducted Cox regression analysis of time from quit day to dropout by daily and nondaily smoking status. Two-thirds (n = 1,733, 64.54%) dropped out before the intervention ended, with dropout rates peaking on quit day (n = 289, 13.10%). Response rate to smoking status prompts remained below 30% throughout the intervention. At intervention end and 1 month follow-up, abstinence was 2.63% and 2.55% among program initiators, whereas abstinence was 6.09% and 6.01% among program completers. Dropout, response, and abstinence rates did not consistently differ by subscriber characteristics. Prequit time was associated with decreased likelihood of dropping out (adjusted hazards ratio: 0.94, confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–0.95), responding to smoking status prompts (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.94, CI: 0.92–0.96), and being abstinent (aOR: 0.96, CI: 0.93–0.99) on quit day. Two or more quit attempts were associated with increased response (aOR: 1.61, CI: 1.16–2.23) and abstinence (aOR: 1.91, CI: 1.25–2.92) rates on Day 7. In a first assessment of SmokeFreeTeen outcomes, we document high dropouts and low response and abstinence rates. SmokeFreeTeen produced abstinence rates lower than comparable text-messaging interventions targeting teens and young adults. Improving SmokeFreeTeen’s reach, engagement, and effectiveness is needed.


10.2196/17522 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e17522
Author(s):  
Jinsong Chen ◽  
Elsie Ho ◽  
Yannan Jiang ◽  
Robyn Whittaker ◽  
Tingzhong Yang ◽  
...  

Background Around 2 million Chinese people, mostly men, die annually from tobacco-related diseases; yet, fewer than 8% of Chinese smokers ever receive any smoking cessation support. Objective This study aimed to test the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility for a mobile social network (WeChat)–based smoking cessation intervention (SCAMPI program) among Chinese male smokers. Methods Chinese male smokers aged 25-44 years were recruited online from WeChat, the most widely used social media platform in China. Individuals using other smoking cessation interventions or who lacked capacity to provide online informed consent were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to intervention or control groups. Neither participants nor researchers were masked to assignment. The trial was fully online. All data were collected via WeChat. The intervention group received access to the full-version SCAMPI program, a Chinese-language smoking cessation program based on the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and relevant cessation guidelines. Specific intervention functions used in the program include: planning to help users make quitting plans, calculator to record quitting benefits, calendar to record progress, gamification to facilitate quitting, information about smoking harms, motivational messages to help users overcome urges, standardized tests for users to assess their levels of nicotine dependence and lung health, as well as a social platform to encourage social support between users. The control group had access to a static WeChat page of contacts for standard smoking cessation care. Both groups received incentive credit payments for participating. The primary outcome was 30-day biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks after randomization, with missing data treated as not quitting. Secondary outcomes were other smoking status measures, reduction of cigarette consumption, study feasibility (recruitment and retention rate), and acceptability of and satisfaction with the program. Results The program recorded 5736 visitors over a 13-day recruitment period. We recruited 80 participants who were randomly allocated to two arms (n=40 per arm). At 6 weeks, 36 of 40 (90%) intervention participants and 35 of 40 (88%) control participants provided complete self-reported data on their daily smoking status via WeChat. Biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks was determined for 10 of 40 (25%) intervention participants and 2 of 40 (5%) control participants (RR=5, 95% CI 1.2-21.4, P=.03). In the intervention group, the calculator function, motivational messages, and health tests were underused (less than once per week per users). Participants rated their satisfaction with the intervention program as 4.56 out of 5.00. Conclusions Our program is a novel, accessible, and acceptable smoking cessation intervention for Chinese male smokers. A future trial with a greater sample size and longer follow-up will identify if it is as effective as these preliminary data suggest. Trial Registration ANZCTR registry, ACTRN12618001089224; https://tinyurl.com/y536n7sx International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-18071


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinsong Chen ◽  
Elsie Ho ◽  
Yannan Jiang ◽  
Robyn Whittaker ◽  
Tingzhong Yang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Around 2 million Chinese people, mostly men, die annually from tobacco-related diseases; yet, fewer than 8% of Chinese smokers ever receive any smoking cessation support. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to test the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility for a mobile social network (WeChat)–based smoking cessation intervention (SCAMPI program) among Chinese male smokers. METHODS Chinese male smokers aged 25-44 years were recruited online from WeChat, the most widely used social media platform in China. Individuals using other smoking cessation interventions or who lacked capacity to provide online informed consent were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to intervention or control groups. Neither participants nor researchers were masked to assignment. The trial was fully online. All data were collected via WeChat. The intervention group received access to the full-version SCAMPI program, a Chinese-language smoking cessation program based on the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and relevant cessation guidelines. Specific intervention functions used in the program include: planning to help users make quitting plans, calculator to record quitting benefits, calendar to record progress, gamification to facilitate quitting, information about smoking harms, motivational messages to help users overcome urges, standardized tests for users to assess their levels of nicotine dependence and lung health, as well as a social platform to encourage social support between users. The control group had access to a static WeChat page of contacts for standard smoking cessation care. Both groups received incentive credit payments for participating. The primary outcome was 30-day biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks after randomization, with missing data treated as not quitting. Secondary outcomes were other smoking status measures, reduction of cigarette consumption, study feasibility (recruitment and retention rate), and acceptability of and satisfaction with the program. RESULTS The program recorded 5736 visitors over a 13-day recruitment period. We recruited 80 participants who were randomly allocated to two arms (n=40 per arm). At 6 weeks, 36 of 40 (90%) intervention participants and 35 of 40 (88%) control participants provided complete self-reported data on their daily smoking status via WeChat. Biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks was determined for 10 of 40 (25%) intervention participants and 2 of 40 (5%) control participants (RR=5, 95% CI 1.2-21.4, <i>P</i>=.03). In the intervention group, the calculator function, motivational messages, and health tests were underused (less than once per week per users). Participants rated their satisfaction with the intervention program as 4.56 out of 5.00. CONCLUSIONS Our program is a novel, accessible, and acceptable smoking cessation intervention for Chinese male smokers. A future trial with a greater sample size and longer follow-up will identify if it is as effective as these preliminary data suggest. CLINICALTRIAL ANZCTR registry, ACTRN12618001089224; https://tinyurl.com/y536n7sx INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-18071


2008 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence C. An ◽  
Steven S. Foldes ◽  
Nina L. Alesci ◽  
James H. Bluhm ◽  
Patricia C. Bland ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane C. Bittner ◽  
Kohei Hasegawa ◽  
Beatrice D. Probst ◽  
Nee-Kofi Mould-Millman ◽  
Robert A. Silverman ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Augustson ◽  
Michael M. Engelgau ◽  
Shu Zhang ◽  
Ying Cai ◽  
Willie Cher ◽  
...  

Purpose. To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a text message–based smoking cessation intervention in China. Design. Study design was a randomized control trial with a 6-month follow-up assessment of smoking status. Setting. Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, and Shaanxi provinces in China provided the study setting. Subjects. A total of 8000 adult smokers in China who used Nokia Life Tools and participated in phase 2 (smoking education via text message) of the study were included. Intervention. The high-frequency text contact (HFTC) group received one to three messages daily containing smoking cessation advice, encouragement, and health education information. The low-frequency text contact (LFTC) group received one weekly message with smoking health effects information. Measures. Our primary outcome was smoking status at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention. Secondary outcomes include participant perceptions of the HFTC intervention, and factors associated with smoking cessation among HFTC participants. Analysis. Descriptive and χ2 analyses were conducted to assess smoking status and acceptability. Factors associated with quitting were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results. Quit rates were high in both the HFTC and LFTC groups (HFTC: 0 month, 27.9%; 1 month, 30.5%; 3 months, 26.7%; and 6 months, 27.7%; LFTC: 0 month, 26.7%; 1 month, 30.4%; 3 months, 28.1%; and 6 months, 27.7%), with no significant difference between the two groups in an intent-to-treat analysis. Attitudes toward the HFTC intervention were largely positive. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that a text message–based smoking cessation intervention can be successfully delivered in China and is acceptable to Chinese smokers, but further research is needed to assess the potential impact of this type of intervention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Héron ◽  
M Melchior ◽  
F El-Khoury

Abstract Background Smoking rates in France are high, and present a substantial socio-economic gradient. Smokers with low socio-economic position (SEP) may be more dependent on nicotine, and have more financial difficulties to buy nicotine substitutes. Tailored approaches are therefore needed. Methods STOP (Sevrage Tabagique à l’aide d’Outils dédiés selon la Préférence) is an ongoing pilot study, examining the acceptability of a smoking cessation intervention. Smokers with low SEP are recruited in six healthcare centres in Greater Paris area by health professionals and are offered substitute(s) of their choice for 4 weeks. Participants can choose between different types of nicotine substitutes (NS; patches, inhalers, etc.) and/or an e-cigarette delivered free of charge. The acceptability of this approach is examined in patients and doctors, using a mixed-method approach. Results So far, 30 smokers have been included in our study, 20% chose e-cigarettes, 36% chose NS, 36% chose both, and 2 participants (8%) chose neither. More than half of participants quit smoking (66%) at one week after inclusion, with 11 reporting tobacco abstinence out of 16 participants followed for 4 weeks. The average number of cigarettes smoked decreased from 15(sd = 10) at inclusion to 8.5 (sd = 5) among those who didn’t quit at four week. In qualitative interviews, one of the facilitators highlighted by health professionals was the perceived “met need” of smokers with low SEP when given free quitting aids without upfront-payment. One of the reported obstacles is the difficulty in scheduling consecutive follow-up meetings in short time. Discussion It is feasible to implement a smoking cessation programme aimed at smokers with low SEP, and embedded in the healthcare system. If proven effective, this intervention could contribute to decreasing social inequalities with regard to tobacco use. Recruitment in a randomised controlled multicentre trial based on this pilot study will start at the end of 2019. Key messages It is feasible to put in place a smoking cessation intervention among socially-disadvantaged in healthcare centres. Free access to nicotine substitutes and e-cigarettes could be a promising smoking cessation intervention among smokers with low socio-economic position.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Vallata ◽  
F Alla

Abstract Background Policies and programs implemented to promote smoking cessation among youth present disparate results. These variations are explained by interventions themselves but also by context, population and implementation characteristics. Our objective was to analyze these factors, related to enrollment and participation in a smoking cessation program, implemented in vocational or technical schools. Methods Population factors were studied by a systematic review about determinants of smoking cessation among 10-24 years old, updating a previous one. Contextual and implementation factors were identified by a qualitative multiple cases study. A smoking cessation program, TABADO, had been implemented in 3 regions in France, in 10 vocational or technical schools (1 school/1 case). Data collection included 51 observations, 46 semi-structured interviews, and 3 interdisciplinary seminars. Results The review identified 46 factors probably or possibly related to a successful smoking cessation, both individual (e.g. smoking frequency) and collective (e.g. relationship smoking status, anti-tobacco legislation). The case study allowed us to objectify positive or negative factors that influence the enrollment and the participation in the program (e.g. presence of a referent in the school, combination with the school program). Finally, we identified prerequisites to gather before starting such a program. Conclusions This mixt design highlights factors on which we must focus to increase the success of a smoking cessation program for youth. A key factor is to tailor intervention and implementation modalities to the local context. Results enabled us to product a pragmatic guide, TABADO 2, which is now used in a national scaling process. They also will be used to build an intervention theory, which could be used for any smoking cessation intervention for youth. Acknowledgments: The TABADO IDF study group, Inca, the région Lorraine and the ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine for their financial support. Key messages A smoking cessation program must be a global strategy, considering contextual, population and organizational factors. Instead of trying to strictly apply a protocol, a complex intervention must be tailored to the context in which it is implemented.


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