Cessation assistance reported by smokers in 15 countries participating in the International Tobacco Control (ITC) policy evaluation surveys

Abstract

Aims To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support. Design Use of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary). Settings Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, UK, Uruguay and USA. Measures Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits. Findings Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from under 20% to over 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting of visiting health professionals in the last year (< 20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provision of advice to quit also varied greatly. There was also marked variability in the levels and types of help reported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available. Conclusions There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals.

Understanding the relationship between socioeconomic status, smoking cessation services provided by the health system and smoking cessation behavior in Brazil

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Diabetes mellitus and treatment outcomes in Palestine refugees in UNRWA primary health care clinics in Jordan

“…It was of concern to see the high proportion of patients with additional risk factors for NCDs such as cigarette smoking, physical inactivity and obesity, with over one third of males being smokers, 60% of males being physically inactive and 70% of females being obese. There are ways to help people to quit smoking, [5][6][7][8][9][10] or to improve physical activity and reduce obesity, [11][12][13][14] and considerations are needed about introducing these at UNRWA clinics along with appropriate sex specificity and annual monitoring.…”

Cost‐effectiveness of increasing the reach of smoking cessation interventions in Germany: results from the EQUIPTMOD

“…For example, tax increases may create illicit markets 11, 12, while e‐cigarettes may prevent certain smokers from quitting 13. Compared with the United Kingdom 14, smoking cessation aids are used less frequently in Germany 15, 16, while the smoking prevalence (18.0 versus 24.5%) is higher 17, 18. This underlines the need for more smoking cessation strategies in Germany.…”