Effect of Smoking Cessation Program: a review of this public policy for tobacco dependence

Abstract

Objective Brazil Health Ministry’s guidelines for tobacco control include the Smoking Cessation Program, developed by the Instituto Nacional de Câncer of Brazil. This review aims to describe the studies in which this Program has been applied, reviewing its procedures, effects, potential and limitations. Method Articles from PubMed, PsycINFO, Virtual Health Library and Scientific Electronic Library Online, published between 2002 and 2019, were evaluated, using the descriptors “Smoking Cessation Program” and “smoking cessation” in Portuguese, Spanish and English. A total of 1670 articles were pre-selected, of which 15 resulted eligible for final assessment. Results The results showed adherence rates from 33% to 100%, success rates from 15% to 85% after the intervention and 21% to 51% six months after treatment completion. This variability may be related to the lack of standardization and poor fidelity in the application of the Program, which intends to treat physical, psychological and behavioral dependence. Conclusion Investment in technical training and record monitoring is suggested.