A smoking cessation programme for use in general practice.

The effectiveness of a smoking intervention programme based in general practice was evaluated at six months by a randomized controlled trial. In the programme, general practitioners achieved a 33% success rate compared with 3% in a control group. Reported abstinence was checked by blood tests for cotinine, carboxyhaemoglobin and thiocyanate. The majority of patients considered that their chances of success were greater if a doctor administered the programme, and that having the results of lung function and blood tests explained in relation to the risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases constituted a strong incentive to stop smoking. Two cases illustrating a successful and a failed outcome of the programme are described. If one quarter of general practitioners in Australia adopted this programme in their practice, approximately 150,000 new abstainers could be expected each year.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes