Electronic Nicotine-Delivery Systems for Smoking Cessation.

BACKGROUND: Electronic nicotine-delivery systems - also called e-cigarettes - are used by some tobacco smokers to assist with quitting. Evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of these systems is needed. METHODS: In this open-label, controlled trial, we randomly assigned adults who were smoking at least five tobacco cigarettes per day and who wanted to set a quit date to an intervention group, which received free e-cigarettes and e-liquids, standard-of-care smoking-cessation counseling, and optional (not free) nicotine-replacement therapy, or to a control group, which received standard counseling and a voucher, which they could use for any purpose, including nicotine-replacement therapy. The primary outcome was biochemically validated, continuous abstinence from smoking at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included participant-reported abstinence from tobacco and from any nicotine (including smoking, e-cigarettes, and nicotine-replacement therapy) at 6 months, respiratory symptoms, and serious adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 1246 participants underwent randomization; 622 participants were assigned to the intervention group, and 624 to the control group. The percentage of participants with validated continuous abstinence from tobacco smoking was 28.9% in the intervention group and 16.3% in the control group (relative risk, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to 2.20). The percentage of participants who abstained from smoking in the 7 days before the 6-month visit was 59.6% in the intervention group and 38.5% in the control group, but the percentage who abstained from any nicotine use was 20.1% in the intervention group and 33.7% in the control group. Serious adverse events occurred in 25 participants (4.0%) in the intervention group and in 31 (5.0%) in the control group; adverse events occurred in 272 participants (43.7%) and 229 participants (36.7%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of e-cigarettes to standard smoking-cessation counseling resulted in greater abstinence from tobacco use among smokers than smoking-cessation counseling alone. (Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and others; ESTxENDS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03589989.).

Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smokers with Acute Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: An International Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking prevalence is twice as high among patients admitted to hospital because of the acute condition of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) as in the general population. Smoking cessation may improve the prognosis of aSAH, but nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) administered at the time of aSAH remains controversial because of potential adverse effects such as cerebral vasospasm. We investigated the international practice of NRT use for aSAH among neurosurgeons. METHODS: The online SurveyMonkey software was used to administer a 15-question, 5-min online questionnaire. An invitation link was sent to those 1425 of 1988 members of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) who agreed to participate in surveys to assess treatment strategies for withdrawal of tobacco smoking during aSAH. Factors contributing to physicians' posture towards NRT were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 158 physicians from 50 nations participated in the survey (response rate 11.1%); 68.4% (108) were affiliated with university hospitals and 67.7% (107) practiced at high-volume neurovascular centers with at least 30 treated aSAH cases per year. Overall, 55.7% (88) of physicians offered NRT to smokers with aSAH, 22.1% (35) offered non-NRT support including non-nicotine medication and counselling, while the remaining 22.1% (35) did not actively support smoking cessation. When smoking was not possible, 42.4% (67) of physicians expected better clinical outcomes when prescribing NRT instead of nicotine deprivation, 36.1% (57) were uncertain, 13.9% (22) assumed unaffected outcomes, and 7.6% (12) assumed worse outcomes. Only 22.8% (36) physicians had access to a local smoking cessation team in their practice, of whom half expected better outcomes with NRT as compared to deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: A small majority of the surveyed physicians of the EANS offered NRT to support smoking cessation in hospitalized patients with aSAH. However, less than half believed that NRT could positively impact clinical outcome as compared to deprivation. This survey demonstrated the lack of consensus regarding use of NRT for hospitalized smokers with aSAH.

Formative Provider Testing of a New Encounter Decision Aid for Smoking Cessation: Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation is an essential part of preventing and reducing the risk of smoking-associated morbidity and mortality. However, there is often little time to discuss smoking cessation in primary care. Decision aids (DAs) designed for clinic visits (encounter DAs) need to be clear, short, and concise to optimize therapeutic education, increase interaction, and improve the therapeutic alliance. Such a DA for smoking cessation could potentially improve counseling and increase the use of pharmacological treatments. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to collect feedback on an electronic encounter DA that facilitates physician-patient interaction and shared decision-making for smoking cessation in primary care. METHODS: We developed an electronic, encounter DA (howtoquit.ch) from a paper version created by our team in 2017 following user-centered design principles. The DA is a 1-page interactive website presenting and comparing medications for tobacco cessation and electronic cigarettes. Each smoking cessation medication has a drop down menu that presents additional information, a video demonstration, and prescribing information for physicians. To test the DA, we submitted a questionnaire to approximately 20 general practitioner residents of an academic general medicine department, 5 general practitioners, and 6 experts in the field of smoking cessation. The questionnaire consisted of 4 multiple-choice and 2 free-text questions assessing the usability or acceptability of the DA, the acquisition of new knowledge for practitioners, the perceived utility in supporting shared decision-making, perceived strengths and weaknesses, and whether the participants would recommend the tool to other clinicians. RESULTS: In all, 6 residents, 3 general practitioners in private practice, and 2 tobacco cessation experts completed the questionnaire (N=11), with 4 additional experts providing open-text feedback. On the 11 questionnaires, the DA was rated as practical and intuitive (mean 4.6/5), and providers felt it supported shared decision-making (mean 4.4/5), as comparisons were readily possible. Inclusion of explanatory videos was seen as a bonus. Several changes were suggested, like grouping together similar medications and adding a landing page to briefly explain the site. Changes were implemented according to end-user comments. CONCLUSIONS: The overall assessment of the encounter DA by a group of physicians and experts was positive. The ultimate objective is to have the tool deployed and easily accessible for all to use.

International expert consensus on electronic nicotine delivery systems and heated tobacco products: a Delphi survey.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a consensus from a panel of international experts about electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and heated tobacco products (HTP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A Delphi survey was conducted among international experts in tobacco control and smoking cessation. The first part addressed statements or recommendations about ENDS, the second about HTP, both divided into four categories: regulation, sale, use and general issues. SETTING: Experts from 15 countries. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with clinical, public health or research expertise in tobacco control and/or smoking cessation. RESULTS: 268 experts were contacted, 92 (34%) completed the first, 55/92 (60%) the second round. Consensus for ENDS: components of e-liquids, an upper limit of nicotine concentration should be defined; a warning on the lack of evidence in long-term safety and addiction potential should be stated; ENDS should not be regulated as consumer products but either as a new category of nicotine delivery or tobacco products; ENDS should not be sold in general stores but in specialised shops, shops selling tobacco or in pharmacies with restriction on sale to minors; administration of illegal drugs is likely with ENDS. Consensus for HTP: HTP have the same addictive potential as cigarettes; they should be regulated as a tobacco product with similar warning messages as cigarettes; their advertisement should not be allowed. ENDS and HTP use should not be allowed in indoor public places; a specific tax should be implemented for ENDS, taxes on HTP should not be lower than those for cigarettes; use of cigarettes is more likely with both ENDS and HTP (dual use) than quitting smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Experts in tobacco control and/or smoking cessation recommend differential regulation for ENDS and HTP. The results of this survey may be useful for health authorities, decision makers and researchers of the tobacco use and cessation field.

Centre de santé de soins primaires : à quoi ressemblera-t-il dans le futur ?

Poussé par les besoins croissants des patient·e·s et l'augmentation des différents professionnel·le·s de la santé, le lieu de travail du monde ambulatoire doit évoluer. La pandémie a montré que la digitalisation des pratiques, avec toutes les questions que cette transformation soulève, est l'un des aspects du futur qui s'ouvre. Mais elle n'est de loin pas le seul enjeu du centre de santé de demain. Prévention et promotion de la santé, santé intégrative, social, économie, architecture, durabilité : les défis sont multiples. Pour les matérialiser, la Revue Médicale Suisse, en partenariat avec Unisanté, organise un concours avec une vingtaine de jeunes médecins et professionnel·le·s de la santé entourés de douze tuteur·trice·s pour imaginer le centre de santé de demain. Le résultat sera présenté dans un show-room de 200 m2 aux Assises de la médecine romande le 4 novembre 2021.

Assessing the efficacy and impact of a personalised smoking cessation intervention among type 2 diabetic smokers: study protocol for an open-label randomised controlled trial (DISCGO-RCT).

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have assessed the efficacy of smoking cessation interventions in individuals with type 2 diabetes, but interventions adapted to the specific needs of this population are warranted. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a smoking cessation intervention in a population of smokers with type 2 diabetes and to measure the metabolic impact of smoking cessation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study is an open-label, randomised control trial. Participants recruited from a sanitary region of Switzerland will be randomly allocated to either the intervention or the control arm. The intervention group will have four individual counselling sessions over 12 weeks. Trained research nurses will conduct the behavioural intervention, using motivational interviews and addressing diabetes and gender specificities. The control group will have one short counselling session at baseline and will be given written information on smoking cessation. Both groups will have a follow-up visit at 26 and 52 weeks. Demographic and medical data will be collected at baseline and follow-up, along with blood and urine samples. The primary study outcome is continuous smoking abstinence validated by expired-air carbon monoxide from week 12 to week 52. Secondary study outcomes are continuous and 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence at 12 and 26 weeks; change in motivation to quit and cigarette consumption; and change in glycosylated haemoglobin levels, body weight, waist circumference and renal function after smoking cessation. In a subsample of 80 participants, change in stool microbiota from baseline will be measured at 3, 8 and 26 weeks after smoking cessation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained by the competent ethics committee (Commission cantonale d'éthique de la recherche sur l'être humain, CER-VD 2017-00812). The results of the study will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03426423 and SNCTP000002762; Pre-results.

[Environmental impact of tobacco]. / Impact environnemental du tabagisme.

Tobacco has not only negative effects on health; it also has an environmental impact. Each year, tobacco production requires 22 000 billion liters of water, mainly for cultivation. Thousands hectares of forestland are cleared annually, largely for the desiccation of tobacco leaves. Cigarette production is responsible for 84 million tons of CO2 equivalent. This paper reviews the environmental impact of the production and consumption of cigarettes from tobacco growing and manufacturing to consumption and waste production, and compares it with current consumption data.

Le tabac a non seulement des effets négatifs sur la santé, mais également un impact environnemental. La production de tabac nécessite 22 000 milliards de litres d'eau par année, principalement pour la culture. La surface de déforestation, en grande partie pour le processus de dessiccation des feuilles de tabac concerne des milliers d'hectares par an. La production de cigarettes est à l'origine de 84 millions de tonnes d'équivalent CO2. Cet article résume l'impact environnemental de la production et consommation des cigarettes, en décrivant les différentes étapes, de la culture du tabac et manufacture jusqu'à la consommation et production de déchets, et fait des comparatifs avec des données de consommation courante.

[« Heated ¼ tobacco products : what do you need to know ?] / Produits du tabac «chauffé¼ : que faut­il savoir ?

With the decline of conventional cigarette sales, tobacco companies developed and began marketing a new type of product that does not burn tobacco in 2015. These products, called « heated tobacco products ¼ (HTP), are marketed as potentially reduced risk products because their technology limits combustion and the generation of toxic compounds. However, the principal harmful compounds commonly measured in conventional cigarette smoke are also present in HTP emissions. Currently, few independent studies have verified the level of risk of these HTP, which raises important questions for the population and public health actors. This article aims to describes the current situation with regards to HTP.

Face à la diminution constante des ventes de cigarettes conventionnelles, l'industrie du tabac a développé et mis sur le marché depuis 2015 un nouveau type de produits qui ne « brûlent ¼ pas le tabac, dits produits du tabac « chauffé ¼ (heated tobacco products ou HTP). Ils sont vendus comme des produits à risques potentiellement réduits, du fait de leur capacité technique à limiter le processus de combustion et la génération de composés toxiques. Toutefois, les principaux composés toxiques émis par la fumée de cigarette conventionnelle sont aussi présents. Actuellement, très peu de recherches indépendantes existent pour vérifier le niveau de risque des HTP, ce qui soulève d'importantes questions parmi la population et les acteurs de santé publique. Cet article fait le point sur ces produits.

[Strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention]. / Stratégies de prévention cardiovasculaire au cabinet.

Atherosclerosis is a disease which develops very gradually over decades. Under the influence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol level, smoking or lifestyle, clinical symptoms of atherosclerosis manifest more or less early in life. When cardiovascular risk factors accumulate, the risk of having a cardiovascular event increases and the benefits of prevention measures are greater. This article summarizes existing strategies for controlling modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in primary prevention. The physician can rely on an interprofessional network of cardiovascular prevention. Managing risk factors while respecting the autonomy and priorities of the patient will bring the greatest benefit.

L'athérosclérose est une pathologie qui se développe sans symptômes sur des dizaines d'années. Sous l'influence de facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire modifiables, tels que la tension artérielle, le taux de LDL-cholestérol, le tabagisme ou le style de vie, les manifestations cliniques de l'athérosclérose apparaissent plus ou moins précocement. Plus les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire s'accumulent, plus le bénéfice cardiovasculaire est grand lors de la mise en place de mesures de prévention. Cet article résume les stratégies existantes pour contrôler les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire en prévention primaire. Le médecin peut s'appuyer sur un réseau interprofessionnel ambulatoire de prévention cardiovasculaire. Agir sur l'ensemble des facteurs de risque en respectant l'autonomie et les priorités du patient apportera le plus grand bénéfice.

[Vaping (electronic cigarette): how to advise smokers in 2017 ?] / Vaporette (ou cigarette électronique) : quelles recommandations pour le fumeur en 2017 ?

Questions about electronic cigarettes, also called electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), are very common when advising patients to stop smoking in medical practice. It is widely recognized that the risks of vaping are significantly lower than those of smoking, although there are uncertainties about its long-term health effects. Some studies suggest that vaping helps to stop smoking. Effective smoking cessation medications should be recommended in first line but vaping should not be discouraged when patients choose to use this device, as the main aim is smoking cessation. This paper proposes recommendations about vaping in common situations in medical practice with smokers.

Les questions concernant l'usage de la cigarette électronique, appelée aussi vaporette, sont très fréquentes lorsque le tabagisme est abordé en consultation médicale. Il est actuellement admis que les risques liés au vapotage sont nettement inférieurs à ceux du tabagisme, même si des incertitudes existent quant à ses effets sur la santé à long terme. Quelques études suggèrent que le vapotage aide à arrêter de fumer. Les médicaments d'aide à l'arrêt du tabac, dont l'efficacité est reconnue, sont à recommander en priorité mais le vapotage ne devrait pas être découragé chez les patients choisissant ce moyen, l'objectif étant de soutenir les fumeurs dans leur démarche d'arrêt du tabac. Cet article propose des recommandations concernant le vapotage pour les situations fréquentes en consultation médicale avec des fumeurs.

[Design and user-testing of a decision aid comparing medications for smoking cessation]. / Outil d'aide à la décision comparant les traitements pharmacologiques pour l'arrêt du tabac.

Medications for smoking cessation, such as nicotine replacement, bupropion and varenicline have comparable efficacy, but present different advantages and drawbacks, making patient-specific preferences important when choosing a medication for smoking cessation. Through 3 PDCA cycles (Plan-Do-Check-Act), we developed and user-tested a decision aid for use during consultations. It contains the most relevant information for choosing a smoking cessation medication and is freely available online. The methodology used for its development could be employed for other decision aids for preference-sensitive decisions.

Les médicaments d'aide au sevrage tabagique tels que les substituts nicotiniques, le bupropion et la varénicline présentent une efficacité comparable mais des avantages et inconvénients différents dus à leur mécanisme d'action. Pour augmenter l'adhérence au traitement et les chances de réussite d'un sevrage tabagique, il est important de définir les préférences de traitement du patient. Pour soutenir cette démarche, au cours de 3 cycles PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act), nous avons développé et testé un outil d'aide à la décision qui contient les informations jugées les plus pertinentes quant au choix du médicament pour arrêter de fumer. L'outil est disponible gratuitement sur internet. La méthodologie utilisée ici pourrait être appliquée pour le développement d'autres outils d'aide à la décision.

[Swiss recommendations for the check-up in the doctor's office]. / Schweizer Empfehlungen für den Check-up in der Arztpraxis.

Prevention and screening of diseases belong to the role of each primary care physician. Recommendations have been developed in the EviPrev programme, which brings together members of all five academic ambulatory general internal medicine centers in Switzerland (Lausanne, Bern, Geneva, Basel and Zürich). Several questions must be addressed before realising a prevention intervention: Do we have data demonstrating that early intervention or detection is effective? What are the efficacy and adverse effects of the intervention? What is the efficiency (cost-effectiveness) of the intervention? What are the patient's preferences concerning the intervention and its consequences? The recommendations aim at answering these questions independently, taking into account the Swiss context and integrating the patient's perspective in a shared decision-making encounter.

[Primary prevention and screening in adults: update 2014]. / Prévention primaire et dépistage chez l'adulte: mise a jour 2014.

This article provides an update on the recommendations for the routine check-up and the primary and secondary prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Changes for cancer screening affect mainly colorectal, lung and prostate cancers. In the area of cardiovascular disease prevention, screening for carotid artery stenosis is still not recommended. The current evidence is insufficient to recommend screening for coronary heart disease or peripheral artery disease in asymptomatic patients. Shared information and decision making between physician and patient is recommended when there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of an intervention.

The tobacco industry's past role in weight control related to smoking.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is thought to produce an appetite-suppressing effect by many smokers. Thus, the fear of body weight gain often outweighs the perception of health benefits associated with smoking cessation, particularly in adolescents. We examined whether the tobacco industry played a role in appetite and body weight control related to smoking and smoking cessation. METHODS: We performed a systematic search within the archives of six major US and UK tobacco companies (American Tobacco, Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds, Lorillard, Brown & Williamson and British American Tobacco) that were Defendants in tobacco litigation settled in 1998. Findings are dated from 1949 to 1999. RESULTS: The documents revealed the strategies planned and used by the industry to enhance effects of smoking on weight and appetite, mostly by chemical modifications of cigarettes contents. Appetite-suppressant molecules, such as tartaric acid and 2-acetylpyridine were added to some cigarettes. CONCLUSION: These tobacco companies played an active and not disclaimed role in the anti-appetite effects of smoking, at least in the past, by adding appetite-suppressant molecules into their cigarettes.

[New modes of tobacco and nicotine use]. / Nouveaux modes de consommation du tabac et de la nicotine.

New ways of consuming tobacco or nicotine have recently been developed attracting smokers not only because of their novelty but also because they hope that it will decrease their health risks or will help them in smoking banned places. The objective of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge concerning the waterpipe, oral tobacco, nasal snuff, the electronic cigarette and tobacco heating devices. Although some products seem less harmful than cigarettes, we cannot encourage people to use them because we still do not have sufficient scientific data regarding their safety. Moreover, most of these products are addictive and we still do not know if they will play a role in harm reduction.

Self-reported smoking cessation activities among Swiss primary care physicians.

BACKGROUND: Individual counselling, pharmacotherapy, and group therapy are evidence-based interventions that help patients stop smoking. Acupuncture, hypnosis, and relaxation have no demonstrated efficacy on smoking cessation, whereas self-help material may only have a small benefit. The purpose of this study is to assess physicians' current clinical practice regarding smokers motivated to stop smoking. METHODS: The survey included 3385 Swiss primary care physicians. Self-reported use of nine smoking cessation interventions was scored. One point was given for each positive answer about practicing interventions with demonstrated efficacy, i.e. nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, counselling, group therapy, and smoking cessation specialist. No points were given for the recommendation of acupuncture, hypnosis, relaxation, and self-help material. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to identify factors associated with a good practice score, defined as >or= 2. RESULTS: The response rate was 55%. Respondents were predominately over the age of 40 years (88%), male (79%), and resided in urban areas (74%). Seventeen percent reported being smokers. Most of the physicians prescribed nicotine replacement therapy (84%), bupropion (65%), or provided counselling (70%). A minority of physicians recommended acupuncture (26%), hypnosis (8%), relaxation (7%), or self-help material (24%). A good practice score was obtained by 85% of respondents. Having attended a smoking cessation-training program was the only significant predictor of a good practice score (odds ratio: 6.24, 95% CI 1.95-20.04). CONCLUSION: The majority of respondents practice recommended smoking cessation interventions. However, there is room for improvement and implementing an evidence-based smoking cessation-training program could provide additional benefit.

Association of cigarettes smoked daily with obesity in a general adult population.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the cross-sectional association between obesity and smoking habits, taking into account diet, physical activity, and educational level. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We used data from the 2002 Swiss Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional telephone survey assessing health and self-reported health behaviors. Reported smoking habits, height, and weight were available for 17,562 subjects (7844 men and 9718 women) > or =25 years of age. BMI was calculated as (self-reported) weight divided by height(2). RESULTS: Mean BMI was 25.1 kg/m(2) for non-smokers, 26.1 kg/m(2) for ex-smokers, 24.6 kg/m(2) for light smokers (1 to 9 cigarettes/d), 24.8 kg/m(2) for moderate smokers (10 to 19 cigarettes/d), and 25.3 kg/m(2) for heavy smokers (> or =20 cigarettes/d) in men and 24.0, 24.1, 22.9, 22.9, and 23.3 kg/m(2), respectively, in women. Obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) was increasingly frequent with older age, lower physical activity, lower fruits/vegetables intake, and lower educational level. Compared with non-smokers, the odds ratio for obesity vs. normal weight (BMI = 18.5 to 25.0 kg/m(2)) adjusted for age, nationality, educational level, leisure time physical activity, and fruit/vegetable intake were 1.9 (95% confidence interval: 1.5 to 2.3) for ex-smokers, 0.5 (0.3 to 0.8) for light smokers, 0.7 (0.4 to 1.0) for moderate smokers, and 1.3 (1.0 to 1.7) for heavy smokers in men and 1.3 (1.1 to 1.6), 0.7 (0.5 to 1.0), 0.8 (0.5 to 1.0), and 1.1 (0.8 to 1.4), respectively, in women. DISCUSSION: Among smokers, obesity was associated in a graded manner with the number of cigarettes daily smoked, particularly in men. More emphasis should be put on the risk of obesity among smokers.