Authors' objectives:

The main objectives of the report are: a) to provide information, based on the best available scientific evidence, about the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of the different intervention options to facilitate smoking cessation; b) to explore the conditions for their efficient use in the National Health System (NHS). The context and the situation regarding access and use of support interventions for smoking cessation in Spain is also described in this assessment. Finally, this analysis provides information on the potential impact of extending smoking cessation interventions in the NHS.

Authors' results and conclusions: All the interventions for stopping smoking are reviewed, and it has been found that medical advice and support, bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are effective and cost-effective interventions, making these the cutting edge drugs to consider. Except in the presence of contraindications, these should be used with highly motivated patients attempting to quit smoking. From the set of cost-effectiveness studies available, it is possible to conclude that, compared with other preventive or clinical interventions, the detection and treatment of dependency on tobacco through medical services is cost-effective in terms of cost per year of life gained. This intervention has been considered a reference compared with other preventive and clinical interventions widely provided by the public health services.

Authors' recommendations: Including the smoking status in each patients clinical history and opportunistic medical advice on smoking must constitute a generalized routine practice in Primary Health Care. This short intervention for smoking cessation is one of the most efficient approaches. It would be useful to harness the necessary resources so that health professionals can appropriately respond to the increasing demand for smoking cessation treatment. Smokers who wish to stop smoking should be able to gain access to the most suitable treatment according to their needs and individual characteristics.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.isciii.es/aets

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias

Contact Address: Instituto de Salud "Carlos III", Calle Sinesio Delgado 6, Pabellon 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 9 1 822 2005; Fax: +34 9 1 387 7841;

Contact Name: Luis M. Sánchez Gómez

Contact Email: luism.sanchez@isciii.es

Copyright: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias (AETS)