Effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions for smoking cessation in actual clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral interventions (brief counseling, nonspecific psychological support in groups - NSGS and cognitive behavioral group therapy - CBGT) in combination with bupropion SR for smoking cessation in the field, through a smoking cessation clinic. METHODS: Two-hundred-and-five smokers were enrolled in a 19-week course during 2007/ 2008, and were randomly assigned to: bupropion SR combined with brief counseling (group A), bupropion SR combined with NSGS (group B), bupropion SR combined with CBGT (group C), or CBGT as the only approach (group D). RESULTS: Continuous abstinence rates at the end of therapy were 53.2% for group A, 62.9% for group B, 50.0% for group C, and 22.2% (p < 0.05) for group D. Sustained abstinence rates in 12 months were 29.6%, 28.1%, 34.3% and 19.4% (p > 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Bupropion SR is an effective aid for smoking cessation in clinical practice. NSGT increased the chances for success at the end of therapy when combined with bupropion SR, while CBGT as monotherapy was less effective compared with the approaches including pharmacotherapy. It is suggested that smoking cessation interventions in real-life healthcare settings should be implemented through comprehensive programs using pharmacotherapy where applicable, combined with NSGT, and integrated by specialized healthcare professionals.

Cigarette smoking among Greek adolescents: behavior, attitudes, risk, and preventive factors.

UNLABELLED: This study was produced in the context of the first author's thesis at Athens University and was a collaboration between the Department of Clinical Care Medicine, Athens University, and Attiki Child Psychiatric Hospital. It was supported by a project grant from the THORAX Foundation, Greece. OBJECTIVE: To study the smoking behavior, attitudes, and beliefs of Greek adolescents, as well as the risk and preventive factors for the onset of smoking and to obtain data to serve in the planning of comprehensive antismoking campaigns tailored to the Greek adolescent's specific profile. SAMPLE AND METHOD: A stratified, nationwide, representative, school-based sample of 3827 Greek adolescents was surveyed during the academic year 2001-2002, using a questionnaire on smoking and Achenbach's Youth Self-Report. RESULTS: Cigarette smoking is a serious problem among Greek youth. Family and peers play a primary role in shaping smoking attitudes and habits. Adolescents who smoke regularly have increased rates of psychopathology as indicated by higher scores on the Externalising and Attention Problem scales of Achenbach's Youth Self-Report, compared to adolescents who are non-smokers. The data obtained can indeed guide smoking prevention strategies in Greece.