R Schoberberger1, G Böhm2, Y Schroeder3. 1. Institute of Social Medicine, Center of Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: rudolf.schoberberger@meduniwien.ac.at. 2. Institute of Social Medicine, Center of Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: gabriela.boehm@meduniwien.ac.at. 3. Department of Finance, Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: yvonne.schroeder@univie.ac.at.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This is an evaluation of an ongoing inpatient smoking cessation program available in Austria and aims to show to what extent even heavy nicotine dependent smokers can benefit from a three-week inpatient therapy. STUDY DESIGN: A particular focus lies on analyzing the benefits and changes in lifestyle and sense of well-being. METHODS: 270 initially heavy nicotine dependent smokers are observed for a one year period consisting of recruitment, therapy and two post-therapy follow-up visits; post program smokers are compared to post program ex-smokers. RESULTS: 12 month post-therapy, 42.6% of participants are identified by carbon monoxide-verifications as ex-smokers, 34% as smokers and the remaining did not attend follow-up visits. Significant changes in lifestyle satisfaction are reported by ex-smokers compared to still smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Convincing heavy dependent nicotine smokers that significant changes in lifestyle satisfaction can be expected as part of a successful cessation process should lead to enough motivation for these individuals to seek such inpatient smoking cessation program.
OBJECTIVES: This is an evaluation of an ongoing inpatient smoking cessation program available in Austria and aims to show to what extent even heavy nicotine dependent smokers can benefit from a three-week inpatient therapy. STUDY DESIGN: A particular focus lies on analyzing the benefits and changes in lifestyle and sense of well-being. METHODS: 270 initially heavy nicotine dependent smokers are observed for a one year period consisting of recruitment, therapy and two post-therapy follow-up visits; post program smokers are compared to post program ex-smokers. RESULTS: 12 month post-therapy, 42.6% of participants are identified by carbon monoxide-verifications as ex-smokers, 34% as smokers and the remaining did not attend follow-up visits. Significant changes in lifestyle satisfaction are reported by ex-smokers compared to still smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Convincing heavy dependent nicotine smokers that significant changes in lifestyle satisfaction can be expected as part of a successful cessation process should lead to enough motivation for these individuals to seek such inpatient smoking cessation program.