Gold Standard Program for Heavy Smokers in a Real-Life Setting
1
Clinical Health Promotion Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Entrance. 108, Malmö SE 205 02, Sweden
2
WHO-CC Clinical Health Promotion Centre, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals—a part of Copenhagen University Hospital, The Capital Region, Nordre Fasanvej 57, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
3
Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals—a part of Copenhagen University Hospital, The Capital Region, Nordre Fasanvej 57, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
4
National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, DK-1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2013, 10(9), 4186-4199; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10094186
Received: 4 July 2013
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Revised: 22 August 2013
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Accepted: 30 August 2013
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Published: 9 September 2013
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tobacco Control in Vulnerable Population Groups)
Background: High-intensity smoking cessation programs generally lead to more continuous abstinence, however, lower rates of success have been reported among heavy smokers. The aim was to evaluate continuous abstinence among heavy smokers during the intensive 6-week Gold Standard Program (GSP) and to identify modifiable factors associated with continuous abstinence. Methods: In this nationwide clinical study based on 36,550 smokers attending an intensive cessation program in Denmark. Heavy smoking was defined as ≥7 points in the Fagerström Nicotine Dependency Test, smoking ≥20 cigarettes daily or ≥20 pack-years. Results: Overall, 28% had a Fagerström score ≥7 points, 58% smoked ≥20 cigarettes daily and 68% smoked ≥20 pack-years. Continuous abstinence was 33% in responders (6-months response rate: 78%); however, abstinence was approximately 1–6% lower in the heavy smokers than the overall population. Attending GSP with an individual format (vs. group/other, OR 1.23–1.44); in a hospital setting (vs. pharmacy/municipality services, OR 1.05–1.11); and being compliant (attending the planned meetings OR 4.36–4.89) were associated with abstinence. Abstinence decreased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing smoking severity. Conclusions: Abstinence after GSP was 1–6% lower in the heavy smokers than in the overall study population. Modifiable factors may be used for small improvements in continued abstinence. However attempts to improve compliance seemed especially promising.
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Keywords:
smoking cessation; abstinence; heavy smokers; intensive program; nationwide database; group program; individual program; Denmark
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MDPI and ACS Style
Neumann, T.; Rasmussen, M.; Heitmann, B.L.; Tønnesen, H. Gold Standard Program for Heavy Smokers in a Real-Life Setting. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2013, 10, 4186-4199. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10094186
AMA Style
Neumann T, Rasmussen M, Heitmann BL, Tønnesen H. Gold Standard Program for Heavy Smokers in a Real-Life Setting. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2013; 10(9):4186-4199. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10094186
Chicago/Turabian StyleNeumann, Tim, Mette Rasmussen, Berit L. Heitmann, and Hanne Tønnesen. 2013. "Gold Standard Program for Heavy Smokers in a Real-Life Setting" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 10, no. 9: 4186-4199. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10094186
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