Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Quitting smoking is essential for good health, and the number of applicants to smoking cessation clinics is growing. This study explored the factors contributing to effective smoking cessation programs and the impact of different treatment modalities for patients who are trying to quit.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four hundred patients admitted to smoking cessation clinic were included in this retrospective study. Treatment outcomes were evaluated at the end of the third month. Demographic characteristics, smoking behaviour and attitudes, Fagerström test results, and the use of medications were recorded.

RESULTS: The overall smoking cessation rate of the cohort was 36.5%. The mean age of patients who successfully quit was slightly higher than those who continued (p<0.05), but other demographics were similar. The daily number of cigarettes smoked was greater in the group that did not quit (p<0.05). Patients received different treatment modalities including behavioural therapy (BT; 30.5%), BT+nicotine replacement therapy (14.5%), BT+bupropion (21%), and BT+varenicline (34%). The success rate of each strategy was 18.9%, 36.2%, 39.3%, and 50.7%, respectively, and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). In addition, longer duration of treatment increased the likelihood of success.

CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation is a difficult and time-consuming process. Smokers should receive a combination of behavioural with pharmacological therapies tailored to the individual. The longer that these strategies are in place, the greater the chance for success in smoking cessation programmes.