INTRODUCTION The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Integrated Centre on Smoking Cessation has been providing free smoking cessation services since 2009. The average quit rate from 2009 to 2014 was 37%. In order to boost the quite rate, we have implemented a residential treatment program for smokers who volunteered to participate. Having run the program for two years, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS We recruited the participants who had failed previous quit attempts and who came to seek our smoking cessation services. A 3-day residential program of activities were arranged for our participants. Intensive individual and group counseling was provided. Pharmacotherapy was also provided to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. This was followed by our usual treatment and follow-up program. Self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate at 26 weeks based on intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was assessed. RESULTS A total of 40 clients volunteered to join the program, age 26 to 65 years old with a mean of 44.1 years. There were 25 (62.5%) males and 15 (37.5%) females. The quit rate at 26 weeks was 57.5%. Smokers older than 43 years, having cohabiting smokers, and smoking for more than 28 years, were more likely to quit and this was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study demonstrated that a 3-day residential program is effective in helping addicted smokers who volunteer to quit smoking and is cost effective compared to longer residential programs.

INTRODUCTION Alcohol and tobacco are often used together. Studies have shown that some biological factors contribute to the concurrent use of alcohol and nicotine. There have been comparatively few studies that document the concurrent prevalence and correlates of alcohol and tobacco use among adults. A better understanding of the smokers who also drink is needed to help them to quit smoking. METHODS A retrospective case review study on smokers who voluntarily joined our service in 2014–2017 was conducted. Characteristics of tobacco users only, and alcohol and tobacco co-users were reviewed. The quit rate of smoking related to alcohol use was analyzed. Participants were contacted by phone at week 26 and 52 to ascertain smoking status and abstinence. RESULTS There were 4602 alcohol and tobacco co-users and 2732 tobacco only users. Co-users had higher education level and better income than tobacco only users. In all, 52.24% of co-users were aged 21–40 years. For the alcohol users, their mean AUDIT score was only 6.17 (SD: 5.67). Multivariate analysis showed that age and gender were associated with co-use while high personal income had lower odds of co-use. Quit rate decreased as the AUDIT score increased. Those who had binge drinking more than once a month had lower quit rate compared with binge drinking less than once a month at week 26 (34.2% vs 43.19%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Alcohol and tobacco co-users should acknowledge alcohol–tobacco interactions to reduce alcohol use and prevent smoking relapse. Healthcare providers should screen for alcohol use in smoking cessation interventions.

INTRODUCTION People with psychotic disorders are associated with high prevalence of cigarette smoking and prevalence rates. Studies show that many smokers with psychotic disorders would like to stop smoking, yet the abstinence rate among them is low. Despite this significant public health problem, few studies have examined the characteristics of this group of smokers and the predictors of smoking cessation. METHODS This is a retrospective chart review study. Case records of smokers who attended our smoking cessation clinic with and without psychotic disorders were reviewed. The outcome measure was self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate at week 26. The basic demographic and biosocial characteristics of these smokers were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 3671 case records were reviewed and 155 smokers with psychosis were identified. The independent predictors of smoking abstinence at week 26 were to improve performance in exercise and sports, greater confidence of quitting, and greater number of counselling sessions. The 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate was 22.6% at 26 weeks. CONCLUSIONS This study has demonstrated that many smokers with psychosis are able to quit smoking even with NRT and counselling and without use of oral medications. Health professionals need to pay greater attention to tobacco use by individuals with mental disorders. Every effort should be given to enhance their motivation, build up their confidence and to provide adequate counselling sessions.

is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal that encompasses all aspects of tobacco use, prevention and cessation that can promote a tobacco free society. The aim of the journal is to foster, promote and disseminate research involving tobacco use, prevention, policy implementation at a regional, national or international level, disease development-progression related to tobacco use, tobacco use impact from the cellular to the international level and finally the treatment of tobacco attributable disease through smoking cessation.