Treatment Outcomes of a Tailored Smoking Cessation Programme for Individuals Accessing Addiction Treatment Services

Background: Individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) have disproportionately higher smoking prevalence and tobacco-related mortality than the general population. This high prevalence of smoking warrants a need for targeted tobacco treatment efforts. Objectives: To examine smoking cessation outcomes and predictors of successful smoking cessation among individuals with SUD accessing a tobacco dependence clinic (TDC) within Addiction Services. Methods: Based on clinical guidelines, participants of the TDC received behavioural therapy combined with tailored pharmacotherapy for tobacco treatment (at no cost). A retrospective chart review from 678 participants enrolled in the TDC between Sept 2007 and Dec 2011 was analyzed. 7-day point-prevalence abstinence (validated by expired carbon monoxide) at end-of-treatment was the main outcome measure. Results: For individuals who completed the program (n=523), the abstinence rate was 40.3%. Significant predictors of successful smoking abstinence at the end-of-treatment were: a) having a lower expired CO level at baseline, and b) staying in treatment for a greater number of weeks. Conclusions: Tobacco treatment tailored to the needs of individuals with SUD is an important approach to reduce the disproportionate tobacco-related morbidity and mortality in this population. Specialized tobacco treatment in addiction service settings is well received by clients who are motivated to quit smoking