Statement on smoking cessation in COPD and other pulmonary diseases and in smokers with comorbidities who find it difficult to quit

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis are common pulmonary diseases that are caused or worsened by tobacco smoking. Growing observational evidence suggests that symptoms and prognosis of these conditions improve upon smoking cessation. Despite increasing numbers of (small) randomised controlled trials suggesting intensive smoking cessation treatments work in people with pulmonary diseases many patients are not given specific advice on the benefits or referred for intensive cessation treatments and, therefore, continue smoking. This is a qualitative review regarding smoking cessation in patients with COPD and other pulmonary disorders, written by a group of European Respiratory Society experts. We describe the epidemiological links between smoking and pulmonary disorders, the evidence for benefits of stopping smoking, how best to assess tobacco dependence and what interventions currently work best to help pulmonary patients quit. Finally, we describe characteristics and management of any "hardcore" smoker who finds it difficult to quit with standard approaches. @ERSpublications Smoking cessation is crucial for respiratory patients: every patient must be given advice and help to quit http://ow.ly/ITgsW

Former smokers with non‐small‐cell lung cancers: a comprehensive investigation of clinicopathologic characteristics, oncogenic drivers, and prognosis

“…Tobacco smoke contains over 60 known carcinogens [4]. The relative risk of lung cancer development is estimated to be 10-to 30-fold in longterm smokers when compared with never smokers [5].…”

Difficulties Quitting for Smokers with and without a Respiratory Disease and Use of a Tailored Intervention for Smoking Cessation – A Qualitative Study

“…This is supported by previous research which showed that COPD smokers have 'difficulty in finding the right time to quit' (Eklund et al, 2012, p.1) and that smokers from disadvantaged communities find it difficult to cope without a cigarette (Bancroft, Wiltshire, Parry, & Amos, 2003;Stead, MacAskill, MacKintosh, Reece, & Eadie, 2001); and struggle to overcome barriers to quit (Copeland, 2003). It is therefore possible that the computer-tailored feedback reports did not adequately cater to the needs of these smokers, by providing the intensive help necessary as advocated by the recent statement on smoking cessation interventions for those with pulmonary disease (Jiménez-Ruiz, et al, 2015). A longer term intensive tailored approach might improve the success of this intervention.…”

“…Although the impact of smoking on respiratory diseases has been well documented, with evidence for increased risk of complications, increased hospital time, accelerated decline in lung function and death (Burchfiel, Marcus, Curb, & Maclean, 1995); many people continue to smoke after diagnosis (Baron, 2003). Current evidence suggests that disease progression and prognosis can be improved, with smokers benefitting from a reduction in patient symptoms like chronic cough, loss of breadth and wheezing and improved response to medication, if smokers with respiratory conditions quit smoking (Jiménez-Ruiz, et al, 2015).…”

Tuberculosis among COPD Patients in Guba City, Azerbaijan

“…Thus, COPD can be para-, meta-, and post-tuberculosis process [1]- [4]. Both diseases have similar risk factors: smoking, low socio-economic status of the individual and the violation of the immune defense [5]- [7]. A related aspect of the above pathogenetic nosology is the development of destructive changes in the pulmonary parenchyma, caused, in particular, a metabolic disorder due to exposure to tobacco metalloproteinases or virulence factors Mycobacterium tuberculosis [2] [5] [8].…”