BACKGROUND: Given that novel tobacco products (NTPs), including heated and electronic cigarettes, are becoming more and more popular while data on smoking cessation in NTPs users are scarce, more studies are needed to support data-driven guidelines and enhance understanding of this population needs.
METHODS: Between November 2022 and November 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted in “Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens” smoking cessation clinic that included 59 users of conventional tobacco products (CTPs) and 59 NTPs users. Data collected included: demographics, addiction, previous cessation attempts, motivations, readiness to quit and success rates at 3 months. The program comprised of five sessions including behavioral support and pharmacotherapy.
RESULTS: 59 NTPs users had mean age of 49 years old, 51% were women and the mean consumption was 37.4 packyears (no statistically significant differences with CTPs users). 88.2% of NTPs users also used CTPs and 62.7% were highly addicted (Fagerstrom score 7-10). 74.6% of NTPs users (vs 81.4% of CTPs users, p=0.377) had previously attempted to quit at least once: 54.5% alone, 34.1% with gradual reduction, 52.3% with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), 65.9% with varenicline, 20.5% with bupropion, 18.2% with psychological support and 6.8% with acupuncture. Their current motivations included: 1.Personal health (66.1%), 2.Costs reduction (15.3%), 3.Sense of freedom (6.8%), 4.All the above (6.8%), 5.Family health (5%). 69.1% showed high readiness to quit.
22.9% and 34.3% of NTPs users showed mental health comorbidities and COPD respectively, likewise CTPs users (p>0.05).
During this program NTPs users were supported with behavioral and pharmaceutical treatment: NRT (64.4%), bupropion (16.9%), gradual reduction (13.6%) or NRT and bupropion (5.1%). Success rate reached 74.5% in NTPs users (vs 63.6% in CTPs users, p=0.216).
CONCLUSIONS: Paving the way to smoking cessation guidelines for NTPs users, this study showed that a program combining behavioral support and pharmacotherapy can be highly effective in supporting this population to quit.