Short-term effectiveness of the national German quitline for smoking cessation: results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to examine the short-term effectiveness of the national German quitline for smoking cessation. METHODS: A parallel-group, two-arm, superiority, randomized controlled trial with data collection at baseline and post-intervention (three months from baseline) was conducted. Individuals were randomized to either the intervention group, receiving up to six telephone counselling calls, or the control group, receiving an active control intervention (self-help brochure). The primary outcome was the seven-day point prevalence abstinence at post-assessment. Secondary outcomes included changes in smoking-related cognitions and coping strategies from pre- to post-assessment, the perceived effectiveness of intervention components, and the satisfaction with the intervention. RESULTS: A total of n = 905 adult daily smokers were assigned to either the intervention group (n = 477) or the control group (n = 428). Intention-to-treat analyses demonstrated that individuals allocated to the telephone counselling condition were more likely to achieve seven-day point prevalence abstinence at post-assessment compared to those allocated to the self-help brochure condition (41.1% vs. 23.1%; OR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.7, 3.1]). Participants who received the allocated intervention in both study groups displayed significant improvements in smoking-related cognitions and coping strategies with the intervention group showing greater enhancements than the control group. This pattern was also found regarding the perceived effectiveness of intervention components and the satisfaction with the intervention. CONCLUSION: The present study provides first empirical evidence on the short-term effectiveness of the national German quitline for smoking cessation, highlighting its potential as an effective public health intervention to reduce the burden of disease associated with smoking. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00025343). Date of registration: 2021/06/07.

Effectiveness of the national German quitline for smoking cessation: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the decline in cigarette smoking prevalence during nearly the past two decades, tobacco use is still widespread in the German adult population, accounting for 125,000 deaths each year and causing tremendous social costs. To accelerate the reduction in tobacco smoking prevalence, evidence-based smoking cessation methods are pivotal to a national tobacco control strategy. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the national German Smokers Quitline offering cessation support to smokers. METHODS: A total sample of 910 daily smokers, who are motivated to quit, will be recruited via an online access panel and randomly assigned to either the intervention (telephone counselling) or control condition. In the intervention group, participants will receive up to six proactive phone calls during an intervention period of approximately six weeks. The provided treatment will combine the principles of motivational interviewing and those of the cognitive behavioural approach to treating substance use. Participants in the control condition will receive a self-help brochure to support smoking cessation. Data collection will take place at baseline as well as three (post assessment) and twelve months (follow-up assessment) after baseline assessment. Primary outcome measures will include the seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 3-month and 12-month assessments as well as prolonged abstinence (abstinence over the 12 month period). Secondary outcome measures will include a change in smoking-related cognitions and coping strategies among all participants. Among non-abstainers, treatment success indicators such as a reduction in number of cigarettes smoked per day and changes in the number and duration of quit attempts after intervention start will be assessed. It is expected that after both three and twelve months, smoking cessation rates will be higher in the telephone counselling condition compared to the control condition. DISCUSSION: The results will provide insights into the effectiveness of proactive telephone counselling by the national German Smokers Quitline. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol for this study is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00025343, Date of registration: 2021/06/07, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.do.

[E-cigarettes: Perceived harmfulness and use for smoking cessation]. / E-Zigaretten: Einschätzung von Gesundheitsgefahren und Nutzung zur Tabakentwöhnung.

BACKGROUND: The perception that e­cigarettes are less harmful than traditional tobacco products can influence the consumption of e­cigarettes. OBJECTIVES: Three questions were examined: (1) How do different population groups perceive health risks of e­cigarettes? (2) Do sociodemographic variables explain differences in the risk assessment of e­cigarettes? (3) Does the perception of health risks predict the use of e­cigarettes for smoking cessation? METHODS: Data came from the 2015 Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (ESA) with a sample size of n = 9204 participants, aged 18 to 64 years (response rate 52.2%). Data were collected by telephone, online, or by written questionnaires. Assessments of risk perception of e­cigarettes and conventional cigarettes (more harmful, just as harmful, less harmful, do not know) were compared. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were performed. RESULTS: Individuals with lower education rated e­cigarettes as more harmful. Older people and women perceived e­cigarettes as just as harmful. Smokers considered e­cigarettes to be more harmful than or just as harmful as conventional tobacco products. The likelihood of using e­cigarettes for smoking cessation was higher if people thought they were less harmful than conventional cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: Only one-third of the population knows that e­cigarettes are less harmful to health than conventional cigarettes. The perception of health risks is related to the usage of e­cigarettes for smoking cessation.