Receipt of Smoking Cessation Medications Among People With and Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (2003-2018).

Background: Nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline are smoking cessation medications (SCMs) shown to be similarly effective in people with and without human immunodeficiency virus (PWH and PWoH, respectively), although rates of receipt of these medications are unknown. Methods: We identified patients in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study with electronic health record-documented current smoking using clinical reminder data for tobacco use (2003-2018). We measured receipt of SCMs using Veterans Affairs pharmacy data for outpatient prescriptions filled 0-365 days after current smoking documentation. We used log-linear, Poisson-modified regression models to evaluate the relative risk (RR) for receiving SCM by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, the annual rate of receipt, and rate difference among PWH relative to PWoH. Results: The sample included 92 632 patients (29 086 PWH), reflecting 381 637 documentations of current smoking. From 2003 to 2018, the proportion receiving SCMs increased from 15% to 34% for PWH and from 17% to 32% among PWoH. There was no statistical difference in likelihood of receiving SCM by HIV status (RR, 1.010; 95% confidence interval [CI], .994-1.026). Annual rates of receiving SCM increased for PWH by 4.3% per year (RR, 1.043; 95% CI, 1.040-1.047) and for PWoH by 3.7% per year (RR, 1.037; 95% CI, 1.036-1.038; rate difference +0.6% [RR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.004-1.009]). Conclusions: In a national sample of current smokers, receipt of SCM doubled over the 16-year period, and differences by HIV status were modest. However, fewer than 35% of current smokers receive SCM annually. Efforts to improve SCM receipt should continue for both groups given the known dangers of smoking.

Predictors of Adherence to Smoking Cessation Medications among Current and Ex-Smokers in Australia: Findings from a National Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to smoking cessation medications (SCMs) improve the rate of successful quitting. This study aimed to evaluate the level of adherence to SCMs and associated factors among smokers and ex-smokers in Australia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Australia. Descriptive statistics were used to present the overall characteristics of participants. Cross-tabulation with Pearson's chi-square test was performed to evaluate the possible associations between factors. To explore barriers and facilitators of adherence to SCMs, logistic regressions were conducted. RESULTS: Among 201 participants, 57 (28.4%) were found to be adherent to SCMs. The odds of being adherent were found to be higher among participants with good social support (AOR = 3.28, 95% CI of 2.30-6.27). Participants who did not experience anxiety symptoms had higher odds of being adherent to SCMs as compared to smokers who had anxiety symptoms (AOR = 4.41, 95% CI of 3.64-14.68). Having previous experience of using SCMs improved adherence four-fold (AOR = 3.87, 95% CI of 1.11-13.44). Level of nicotine dependence showed a direct association with adherence (AOR = 3.53, 95% CI of 1.40-8.95). Not relapsing while on the medications improved adherence (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI of 1.21-6.88). CONCLUSION: In a study of smokers and ex-smokers in Australia, the self-reported level of adherence to SCMs was found to be low. Adherence was associated with social, psychological, and medication-related factors. Smoking cessation interventions are recommended to include strategies that can address medication adherence.

Comparison of Perceptions and Smoking Cessation Experiences Between Smokers With and Without Serious Mental Illness in a Large Health Maintenance Organization.

OBJECTIVE: Smoking prevalence is threefold higher among people with serious mental illness (PWSMI) than in the general population, yet smoking cessation rates for PWSMI are lower. Numerous reasons have been posited as to why tobacco use is higher and abstinence rates are lower among PWSMI. This study explores smoking cessation perceptions and experiences among PWSMI and people without serious mental illness (SMI). METHODS: Participants in this cross-sectional study were recruited from among members of a large health maintenance organization (HMO) in Israel who had registered for or commenced a smoking cessation program in 2015 through 2017. The sample comprised 208 PWSMI and a matched sample of people without SMI (N = 428). Telephone surveys were used to collect information about smoking status and smoking/cessation history, use of smoking cessation programs and aids (prescription medications, nicotine replacement therapy, electronic cigarettes), motivation and intention to quit, self-efficacy (to quit), smoking cessation outcome expectancies, physician support to quit, barriers and facilitators for those who had not quit, and reinforcements/challenges for those who had quit. RESULTS: Of those without SMI, 27% quit smoking compared to 20% of PWSMI (p = .051). Irrespective of mental health status, the most significant predictor of abstinence was the use of smoking cessation prescription medications. Family physicians were significantly less likely to inquire about motivation to quit, refer to smoking cessation programs, or prescribe smoking cessation medications for PWSMI than for people without SMI. Beyond these factors, no differences were noted between respondents with and without SMI regarding motivation to quit, intention to quit, and abstinence self-efficacy. PWSMI who had not quit were more likely to be concerned about how quitting might affect their functioning and how they would pass the time without cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: PWSMI have similar levels of motivation and intention to quit smoking as those without SMI. However, they are disadvantaged by the reduced support received from their family physicians and lower cessation medication usage. Efforts to promote the implementation of smoking cessation treatment guidelines will help promote smoking abstinence among PWSMI.

Beyond "Safe and Effective": The urgent need for high-impact smoking cessation medications.

Smoking cessation medications (SCMs) are an evidence-based cornerstone of comprehensive tobacco control programs globally. However, the impact of SCMs on population smoking prevalence is controversial, with inconsistencies between randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and population-based observational studies. We estimated SCM impact on permanent cessation and population smoking prevalence by extrapolating efficacy estimates from meta-analyses of RCTs, using the standard population impact formula: efficacy*reach. We calculated the potential SCM impact under a range of assumptions for permanent cessation (20%,14%), behavioral support (yes/no), reach (40%-2%), and underlying smoking prevalence. Assuming behavioral support for all, depending on reach, 8%-0.3% of smokers are expected to quit permanently. Without behavioral support, permanent cessation is estimated to be 6.4%-0.2%. Assuming an underlying population smoking prevalence of 14%, (current U.S. prevalence), the maximum impact on population smoking prevalence is 1.12%. Impact on prevalence increases with increasing underlying country-specific levels of prevalence. With current U.S. levels of reach, behavioral support and smoking prevalence, we estimate that, based on a single course of treatment, 2.3% of smokers would quit permanently, contributing to a 0.3% decrease in population level smoking prevalence. Even under ideal conditions, the potential of current first-line SCMs to increase cessation in a substantial proportion of smokers, and reduce population smoking prevalence, is limited. In order to avert the predicted billion tobacco-caused deaths in this century, "safe and effective" medications are not sufficient: SCMs with high population impact are urgently needed. Policies to ensure the availability and accessibility of highly efficacious SCMs, with behavioral support, are crucial.