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A more recent article on smoking cessation is available.

Am Fam Physician. 2006;74(2):262-271

Patient information: See related handout on smoking cessation, written by the authors of this article.

Author disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Tobacco use, primarily cigarette smoking, is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, and nearly one third of those who try a cigarette become addicted to nicotine. Family physicians, who see most of these patients in their offices every year, have an important opportunity to decrease smoking rates with office-based interventions. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that primary care physicians use the five A’s (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) model when treating patients with nicotine addiction. Physicians can improve screening and increase cessation rates by asking patients about tobacco use at every office visit. Behavior modification can improve long-term smoking cessation success; even brief (five minutes or less) advice on smoking cessation during an office visit can increase cessation rates. The effectiveness of nonpharmacologic treatments generally is lower; therefore, pharmacotherapy is recommended for smokers who are willing to attempt cessation, unless medical contraindications exist. The pharmacologic agents approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of tobacco dependence include bupropion (a non-nicotine therapy) and nicotine replacement therapies in the form of a gum, patch, nasal spray, inhaler, and lozenge. These agents have similar long-term success rates.

Tobacco use, primarily cigarette smoking, is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States.1 Primary care physicians have an opportunity to offer office-based smoking cessation interventions to the 70 percent of smokers who visit their offices every year.2 Goals of the Healthy People 20103 initiative include increasing to 75 percent the proportion of family physicians who routinely provide smoking cessation counseling. Studies have shown that physicians and their staffs can be trained to successfully deliver office-based smoking cessation interventions,4 and that these interventions significantly improve smoking cessation rates.4,5

Clinical recommendation (smoking cessation interventions)Evidence ratingReferencesQuit rates at six months (%)*Comments
Single therapies
Brief physician adviceA2 2 to 10Brief intervention is five minutes or less in a single visit.
Telephone counselingA37, 40 5 to 19Overall effect likely to be small compared with no intervention. There is no additional benefit when combined with other interventions (e.g., physician advice, pharmacotherapy). Indirect evidence suggests that “quitlines” can be useful in smoking cessation.
Self-help materialsB38, 40 7 to 27Successful interventions usually require multiple (up to six per week) contacts with self-help materials near the time of the quit date. Materials that are tailored to individual smokers may be more effective than standard materials.38
Nicotine patchA12 8 to 21Less potential for addiction compared with gum
Nicotine sprayA12, 33 30Higher potential for addiction compared with other NRTs15
Nicotine inhalerA12, 33 23Mimics hand-to-mouth motion of smoking
Nicotine lozengeA16 24Similar results among smokers regardless of success or failure of previous pharmacologic therapy17
Nicotine gum in highly dependent smokersA12 24Quit rates were higher in specialized cessation clinics than in primary care settings; higher potential for addiction than the patch6,11
Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin SR)A20, 22, 23 21 to 30Initial concerns about increased risk of seizures have not been confirmed.
Combination therapies
Nicotine patch plus nicotine gumB25 28Combination more effective than either agent alone
Nicotine patch plus nicotine sprayB28 37 (at three months)Combination more effective than either agent alone
Nicotine patch plus nicotine inhalerB26 25Combination more effective than either agent alone
Nicotine patch plus bupropionB23 35Combination more effective than patch alone but not bupropion alone

Screening and Diagnosis

The 2000 Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR; now the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) clinical practice guideline on treating tobacco use and dependence urges physicians to treat tobacco use as a chronic disease.2 It recommends that physicians use the five A’s (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) model (Table 12) when treating patients with nicotine addiction.

Five A’sImplementation suggestions
Ask about tobacco use during every office visit.Include questions about tobacco use when assessing the patient’s vital signs. Placing tobacco-use status stickers on patient charts, noting tobacco use in electronic medical records, or using computer reminder systems also may be helpful.
Advise all smokers to quit.Advice should be:
Clear: “I think it is important for you to quit smoking now. Cutting down or changing to light cigarettes is not enough.”
Strong: “As your physician, I need to tell you that smoking cessation is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health.”
Personalized: physicians should talk with patients about how smoking has affected their health, children, or other family members; the social and economic costs of smoking; and the patient’s readiness to quit.
Assess the patient’s willingness to quit.Assess the patient’s willingness to quit by asking, “On a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being ‘not at all motivated’ and 10 being ‘extremely motivated,’ how motivated are you to quit smoking?”
Use the patient’s level of motivation to determine the next step:
If the patient is willing to make a quit attempt, offer medication, brief counseling, and self-help resources and schedule a follow-up visit.
If the patient is unwilling to quit, identify why the patient is not motivated. Explore what he or she likes and does not like about smoking and the potential advantages and disadvantages of quitting. Identify the patient’s core values (e.g., health, being a role model for children) and how smoking affects these values.
Assist the patient in his or her attempt to quit.Help the patient make a quit plan:
Set a quit date, ideally within two weeks of the office visit.
Request encouragement and support from family and friends.
Anticipate triggers and cues to smoking and identify alternative coping strategies.
Help the patient change his or her environment:
Throw away cigarettes, matches, lighters, and ashtrays; launder clothing; vacuum home and car.
Avoid smoking in places where the patient spends a lot of time (e.g., home, work, car).
Avoid other smokers and drinking alcohol.
Provide basic information about smoking and cessation (e.g., addictive nature of smoking, importance of complete abstinence, possible withdrawal symptoms).
Recommend pharmacotherapy, unless contraindications exist (Table 2), and behavior therapy for smoking cessation.
Provide supplementary self-help materials (Table 3).
Arrange follow-up contact.Follow-up should occur within the first week after the quit date. A second follow-up contact is recommended within the first month. Further follow-up visits should be scheduled as needed.
During a follow-up visit, success should be congratulated. If the patient has relapsed, review the circumstances and elicit a new commitment to quit. Consider referral for more intensive treatment.
Follow-up contact can be by telephone, e-mail, or in person.

The first step, asking about tobacco use at every visit, has been shown to improve screening and cessation rates; a nurse or other staff member can do this when taking the patient’s vital signs.2 Physicians should establish office-wide systems to enhance consistent identification of smokers. This includes asking questions to identify current, former, or never-smokers. For example, patients should be asked, “Do you currently use any form of tobacco?” Those who answer “no” should then be asked, “Have you regularly used any form of tobacco in the past?” Merely asking, “Are you a smoker?” may not identify occasional or light smokers, some of whom do not consider themselves smokers.

Treatment

One of the barriers to addressing tobacco use in the clinical setting is that physicians have not been reimbursed for much of their work in this area. However, the Medicare Part B insurance plan recently began covering smoking cessation counseling. The coverage is limited to Medicare patients who have diseases or adverse health effects linked to their tobacco use and to those whose tobacco use affects their metabolism or medication dosages. More information on the coverage of tobacco use counseling is available athttp://www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals/downloads/R818CP.pdf.

Physicians should give patients who use tobacco brief advice on why they should attempt cessation and then assess their willingness to quit. Physicians can offer motivation and support to help patients modify their behaviors. However, pharmacologic treatment has a higher success rate6 than nonpharmacologic treatment and should be offered to patients unless a clinical contraindication exists.2

NONPHARMACOLOGIC THERAPY

The “stages of change” model7 is a useful tool for assessing a patient’s willingness to quit using tobacco. This model entails changing behavior through a process of five motivational stages: (1) precontemplation (not planning to quit within the next six months), (2) contemplation (considering quitting within the next six months), (3) preparation (planning to quit within the next 30 days), (4) action (successfully quitting for less than six months), and (5) maintenance (successfully quitting for at least six months). Interventions based on the stages of change model have been shown to enhance motivation and predict cessation.8

For patients who are unwilling to quit, physicians should identify reasons for their resistance and address these reasons. Patients who are willing to attempt cessation should receive specific advice about how to proceed (e.g., setting a quit date, pharmacotherapy). Studies2 have shown that even brief (five minutes or less) advice on cessation from a physician during an office visit improves cessation rates compared with no advice.

PHARMACOTHERAPY

The pharmacologic agents approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of tobacco dependence (Table 29) have similar long-term success rates.9 These agents include five forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT; e.g., gum, patch, nasal spray, inhaler, lozenge) and bupropion sustained release (Wellbutrin SR).9

AdvantagesDisadvantagesContraindicationsUsual dosageCost per day*
Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin SR)
Non-nicotine tablet; easy to use; may be used with NRTs
  • May cause insomnia, dry mouth, headache, tremors, nausea, or anxiety

  • Pregnancy category B

  • Avoid in patients with seizure disorders, bulimia or anorexia nervosa, or history of head trauma and in patients currently using bupropion or an MAOI.

  • 150 mg per day for three days, then twice per day for seven to 12 weeks. Start treatment one to two weeks before quit date.

$4.33 per day (two 150-mg tablets per day)
Nicotine gum
Over-the-counter availability; flexible dosing; delivers nicotine faster than the patch.
  • No food or drink 15 minutes before use; frequent dosing

  • May cause jaw pain, mouth soreness, dyspepsia, or hiccups

  • Pregnancy category D; may use in pregnant women if nonpharmacologic measures fail and if the benefit outweighs the risk

  • Avoid in patients with dental problems or temporomandibular joint syndrome.

  • Cardiovascular precautions†

  • Patients who smoke < 15 cigarettes per day: one 2-mg piece of gum every one to two hours

  • Patients who smoke ≥15 cigarettes per day: one 4-mg piece of gum every one to two hours

2 mg: 9.33 per day (average of 16 piecesper day)
4 mg: 10.33 per day (average of 16 piecesper day)
Nicotine inhaler
Flexible dosing; mimics hand-to-mouth action of smoking; few side effects
  • Frequent dosing necessary

  • May cause mouth and throat irritation

  • Pregnancy category D

  • Cardiovascular precautions†

  • Six to 16 10-mg (only delivers 4 mg of nicotine) cartridges per day for three months; taper dosages over six to 12 weeks.

9.50 per day (average of 12 cartridges per day)
Nicotine lozenge
Over-the-counter availability; flexible dosing; delivers nicotine faster than the patch
  • May cause mouth soreness or dyspepsia

  • Frequent dosing necessary; no food or drink 15 minutes before use

  • Pregnancy category D

  • Cardiovascular precautions†

  • Weeks 1 to 6: one lozenge every one to two hours

  • Weeks 7 to 9: one lozenge every two to four hours

  • Weeks 10 to 12: One lozenge every four to eight hours

  • Patients who smoke their first cigarette of the day within 30 minutes of awakening should use the 4-mg dose; others should use the 2-mg dose.

2 or 4 mg: 8.88 per day (average of 16 lozenges per day)
Nicotine patch (transdermal)
Over-the-counter availability; daily application; overnight use may reduce early morning cravings; few side effects
  • Less flexible dosing; slow delivery of nicotine

  • May cause skin irritation or sleep problems if worn at night

  • Pregnancy category D

  • Cardiovascular precautions†

  • Patients who smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day: 21 mg every 24 hours for six to eight weeks, step down to 14 mg every 24 hours for two to four weeks, then to 7 mg every 24 hours for two to four weeks

  • Patients who smoke 10 cigarettes or less per day: 15 mg every 16 hours for six weeks

21 mg: 4.00 per day (one patch per day)
14 mg: 3.40 per day (one patch per day)
7 mg: 3.40 per day (one patch per day)
15 mg: 3.60 per day (one patch per day)
Nicotine nasal spray
Flexible dosing; fastest delivery of nicotine among NRTs; reduces cravings within a few minutes
  • Frequent dosing necessary

  • May cause nose and eye irritation or cough

  • Most addictive of the NRTs

  • Pregnancy category D

  • Cardiovascular precautions†

  • One or two 0.5-mg doses in each nostril every hour for three to six months; taper doses over four to six weeks

16.00 per day (average of 16 sprays per day)

Nicotine Gum

A meta-analysis that included randomized controlled studies of specialized cessation clinics showed that patients using nicotine gum had higher success rates at six months than those using placebo gum (27 versus 18 percent).2 However, studies10 of general medical practices showed that the six-month success rate of nicotine gum was no different than that of placebo (12 percent). The higher cessation rate associated with nicotine gum in specialized smoking cessation clinics may be attributed to more in-depth counseling, better adherence to treatment, better trained counselors, and participants who are more motivated to quit. Nicotine gum is available over the counter in 2- and 4-mg doses. The 4-mg dose is recommended for those who smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day.2 No definite benefits have been noted beyond eight weeks.11

Nicotine Patch (Transdermal)

A meta-analysis12 showed that the patch has a six-month success rate of 8 to 21 percent compared with 4 to 14 percent for placebo, and a 12-month success rate of 10 to 16 percent compared with 6 to 16 percent for placebo. Treatment beyond eight weeks has not been shown to increase effectiveness. Patches are available over the counter in 15- and 21-mg doses. Step-down doses of 14 and 7 mg may accompany the 21-mg dose, although data have not shown that this step-down approach adds benefit. Those who smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day should use the 21-mg dose.2 Although there were earlier concerns about the safety of nicotine patches, specifically in patients with myocardial infarction, the FDA has concluded and studies have shown that there are no adverse effects associated with the nicotine patch in smokers with a history of coronary heart disease.13,14

Nicotine Nasal Spray

A meta-analysis2 showed that the nicotine nasal spray had a six-month success rate of 31 percent compared with 14 percent for placebo. One spray into each nostril equals one dose; each spray contains 0.5 mg of nicotine. Patients should use one to two doses per waking hour for three to six months.2 The nicotine nasal spray seems to be the most addictive of the NRTs.15 If a patient presents with withdrawal symptoms after abrupt discontinuation of treatment, the physician should consider initiating a four- to six-week tapering period. Tapering may be achieved by halving the dose every week. The most common side effects include nasal irritation, runny nose, sneezing, throat irritation, coughing, and watery eyes. Patients usually develop tolerance to these effects within the first week, however.

Nicotine Inhaler

A meta-analysis2 showed that the inhaler had a six-month success rate of 23 percent compared with 11 percent for placebo. Adverse events are generally mild and consist of throat irritation and cough. The nicotine inhaler is unique in that it mimics the hand-to-mouth motion of smoking. The inhaler consists of a cartridge attached to a plastic mouthpiece. The cartridge contains 10 mg of nicotine (but only delivers 4 mg) plus 1 mg of menthol. The recommended dose is six to 16 cartridges per day for three months, then taper for six to 12 months. The nicotine is absorbed in the mouth rather than in the lungs.2

Nicotine Lozenge

Randomized clinical trials16,17 have shown that the nicotine lozenge (2 mg) has a six-week success rate of 46 percent compared with 30 percent for placebo and a six-month success rate of 24 percent compared with 14 percent for placebo. Results were similar for the 4-mg dose. The nicotine lozenge is similar to nicotine gum in that it is administered orally; however, it delivers about 25 percent more nicotine than the gum.18 The 4-mg dose is recommended for those who smoke their first cigarette of the day within 30 minutes of awakening; otherwise, the 2-mg dose should be used. At least nine lozenges per day are recommended for the first six weeks.

Bupropion SR

Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that bupropion SR is effective in clinical practice settings19,20 and in hospital employees21 and minorities.22 Six-month success rates were 21 to 30 percent for bupropion SR compared with 10 to 19 percent for placebo. Common adverse effects are generally mild and consist of insomnia and dry mouth. Less common side effects include headache, nausea, and anxiety. Bupropion is contraindicated for patients with a history of seizures, anorexia or bulimia, or head trauma, and in those who currently use bupropion or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The drug also should be avoided in patients with increased seizure risk (e.g., excessive use of alcohol or sedatives, such as benzodiazepines; addiction to opiates, cocaine, or stimulants; tight control of diabetes). Because the risk of seizure is dose dependent, the total daily dosage of bupropion SR should not exceed 300 mg.

Combination Pharmacotherapy

Combining the nicotine patch with a self-administered NRT (e.g., gum, spray, inhaler) is more effective than a single NRT.2 A randomized trial23 showed that bupropion SR combined with the patch was more effective than the patch alone but not significantly more effective than bupropion SR alone. However, a recent study including mostly veterans24 showed that combining bupropion SR with the patch did not significantly increase success rates compared with the patch alone. Other studies25 have shown that combining the patch with the gum significantly increases cessation success rates (by up to 50 percent) compared with the patch alone. Similarly, studies have shown that combining the patch with the inhaler26 or nasal spray27,28 significantly increases cessation success rates compared with each therapy alone. Therefore, combination pharmacotherapy should be considered for smokers who are unable to quit because of significant cravings or withdrawal symptoms despite adequate doses of a single therapy.

Other Recommended Pharmacotherapies

The AHCPR clinical practice guideline2 recommends clonidine (Catapres) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) as second-line agents for smoking cessation. Controlled studies on these agents are limited,29,30 and neither drug is FDA-approved for smoking cessation. Clonidine and nortriptyline should be considered only for patients who have failed first-line therapies or are unable to use them because of contraindications.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

A number of complementary and alternative therapies such as hypnosis and acupuncture have been considered for smoking cessation. The AHCPR did not find sufficient evidence to recommend hypnosis or acupuncture for smoking cessation.2 A Cochrane review31 of nine studies provided no evidence that hypnosis was effective for smoking cessation. Another Cochrane review32 of 22 randomized trials showed that there was no clear evidence that acupuncture or its variations (e.g., acupressure, laser therapy, electrostimulation) were effective for smoking cessation.

CHOOSING A TREATMENT

Few data exist comparing the effectiveness of the approved pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation. The Safety, Tolerability, Efficacy, Price, Simplicity (STEPS) approach can be used to guide physicians when they are choosing a therapy.33 NRTs are considered generally safe with mild adverse effects. They all have similar cardiovascular precautions, and all are pregnancy category D. Bupropion SR also is relatively safe with precautions as discussed above. However, product-specific characteristics may make some NRTs less suitable for certain patients. For example, the gum is not appropriate for patients with dental or jaw problems because it requires special chewing techniques and high frequency of use. The adhesive on the patch may be affected by humid weather. The patch also should be avoided in patients with systemic eczema.

The only study34 that has compared the effectiveness of various NRTs reported similar results for the gum, patch, spray, and inhaler. No study has compared the lozenge with other NRTs. Although one study23 reported that bupropion was more effective than the patch, this finding has not been replicated. Bupropion costs slightly less than NRTs, and the patch appears to be the most convenient therapy to use among the NRTs. In one randomized controlled trial,34 compliance was highest for the patch (82 percent) compared with the gum (38 percent), the spray (15 percent), and the inhaler (11 percent). However, the effectiveness of these therapies may be lower in “real-world” settings because clinical trial participants are self-selected and, therefore, are more motivated to quit smoking and willing to comply with frequent follow-ups. Also, those in placebo groups typically receive substantially more counseling than those in real-world settings. These factors may produce higher quit rates in patients taking placebo than are typically found in unaided cessation attempts. Figure 135 is an algorithm for identifying and treating patients who smoke.

Follow-up

Relapse (in general or, more specifically, smoking on seven consecutive days or once each week over two consecutive weeks)36 is common. Physicians can use a number of brief strategies to help prevent relapse. At a minimum, patients should be encouraged to identify their smoking cues and triggers and decide on alternative coping strategies before they attempt to quit smoking. During follow-up visits, physicians should assess patients’ progress, congratulate success, and encourage continued cessation. Patients also should be encouraged to discuss the benefits of cessation including health benefits; the successes they have had (e.g., duration of abstinence, effective coping strategies); and problems or barriers to cessation (e.g., negative mood, irritability, alcohol, other smokers).2

For patients who have experienced a relapse, it is recommended that the physician review with the patient the circumstances surrounding the relapse and elicit a new commitment to quit. It also is important to counsel these patients on the proper use of pharmacotherapy and to arrange a timely follow-up visit (i.e., about one week after the new quit date). Behavior modification for smoking cessation also should be considered. Finally, patients should be reminded that a relapse is an opportunity for them to learn what tempted them to smoke and how to cope better with similar situations in the future.

On average, most smokers attempt to quit smoking four or five times before cessation is successful.2 Data suggest that approximately 6 to 38 percent of smokers who relapse will attempt to quit again within the next year.2 Given this relatively high rate of reattempts, it is important for physicians to maintain contact with a patient who smokes, even after relapses, to facilitate a future smoking cessation attempt when a patient is most motivated to quit. For this reason, arranging follow-up care for smoking cessation (the last step of the five A’s model) is highly important. The follow-up should occur within one week of the patient’s quit date, because the risk of relapse is highest during the first few days of abstinence.2

Considerable data show that additional follow-up (e.g., face-to-face contact; letters or telephone conversations37; self-help materials38 beyond initial brief advice) significantly increases cessation success rates.39 Self-help brochures and print materials from professional organizations are readily available. The patient information handout with this article can be given to patients as an adjunct to initial brief advice and follow-up. In addition to office-based self-help resources, a growing number of free telephone “quitlines” and Internet-based resources are available for persons who want to quit smoking.40 Table 3 includes a list of self-help resources for smoking cessation.

American Academy of Family Physicians
Web site:https://www.aafp.org
Telephone: 800-274-2237
Address: 11400 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy., Leawood, KS 66211-2672
American Cancer Society
Web site:http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp
Telephone: 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Web site:http://www.acog.org
Telephone: 202-638-5577
Address: 409 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20090-6920
American Heart Association
Web site:http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3018961
Telephone: 800-AHA-USA1 (800-242-8721)
Address: 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231
American Lung Association
Web site:http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9o0E&b=33484
Telephone: 800-LUNGUSA (800-586-4872)
Address: 61 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10006
Nicotine Anonymous
Web site:www.nicotine-anonymous.org
Telephone: 415-750-0328
Address: 419 Main St., PMB #370, Huntington Beach, CA 94159-1777
National Cancer Institute
Web site:www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/tobacco/quitting-and-prevention
Telephone: 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
QuitNet
Web site:http://www.quitnet.com
QuitSmokingSupport
Web site:http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com

Prognosis

Smoking cessation significantly reduces morbidity and mortality from smoking.2 The degree of improvement, however, depends on the disease process and the amount of damage present as well as the reversibility of this damage at the time of cessation. Former smokers reduce their risk of developing coronary heart disease by 50 percent within one year of quitting.2 After four years, this risk becomes equal to that of never-smokers.2 The decrease in cancer risk varies with the type of cancer involved. For example, the risk of lung cancer in former smokers always remains higher than that in never-smokers. However, this risk decreases progressively and considerably with the number of years the former smoker remains abstinent.

In addition to reducing morbidity and mortality, smoking cessation is among the most cost-effective measures in primary care.41 The estimated cost per life-year saved is $2,000 for smoking cessation compared with $50,000 per life-year saved for breast cancer mammography.2

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