Community Subjective Smoking Status Predicts Smoking Abstinence

Background Around 2 million Chinese people, mostly men, die annually from tobacco-related diseases; yet, fewer than 8% of Chinese smokers ever receive any smoking cessation support. Objective This study aimed to test the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility for a mobile social network (WeChat)–based smoking cessation intervention (SCAMPI program) among Chinese male smokers. Methods Chinese male smokers aged 25-44 years were recruited online from WeChat, the most widely used social media platform in China. Individuals using other smoking cessation interventions or who lacked capacity to provide online informed consent were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to intervention or control groups. Neither participants nor researchers were masked to assignment. The trial was fully online. All data were collected via WeChat. The intervention group received access to the full-version SCAMPI program, a Chinese-language smoking cessation program based on the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and relevant cessation guidelines. Specific intervention functions used in the program include: planning to help users make quitting plans, calculator to record quitting benefits, calendar to record progress, gamification to facilitate quitting, information about smoking harms, motivational messages to help users overcome urges, standardized tests for users to assess their levels of nicotine dependence and lung health, as well as a social platform to encourage social support between users. The control group had access to a static WeChat page of contacts for standard smoking cessation care. Both groups received incentive credit payments for participating. The primary outcome was 30-day biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks after randomization, with missing data treated as not quitting. Secondary outcomes were other smoking status measures, reduction of cigarette consumption, study feasibility (recruitment and retention rate), and acceptability of and satisfaction with the program. Results The program recorded 5736 visitors over a 13-day recruitment period. We recruited 80 participants who were randomly allocated to two arms (n=40 per arm). At 6 weeks, 36 of 40 (90%) intervention participants and 35 of 40 (88%) control participants provided complete self-reported data on their daily smoking status via WeChat. Biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks was determined for 10 of 40 (25%) intervention participants and 2 of 40 (5%) control participants (RR=5, 95% CI 1.2-21.4, P=.03). In the intervention group, the calculator function, motivational messages, and health tests were underused (less than once per week per users). Participants rated their satisfaction with the intervention program as 4.56 out of 5.00. Conclusions Our program is a novel, accessible, and acceptable smoking cessation intervention for Chinese male smokers. A future trial with a greater sample size and longer follow-up will identify if it is as effective as these preliminary data suggest. Trial Registration ANZCTR registry, ACTRN12618001089224; https://tinyurl.com/y536n7sx International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-18071

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Mobile Social Network–Based Smoking Cessation Intervention for Chinese Male Smokers: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17522 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jinsong Chen ◽

Elsie Ho ◽

Yannan Jiang ◽

Robyn Whittaker ◽

Tingzhong Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Social Network ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Smoking Cessation Intervention ◽

Smoking Abstinence ◽

Mobile Social Network ◽

Motivational Messages ◽

Cessation Intervention ◽

Chinese Male

BACKGROUND Around 2 million Chinese people, mostly men, die annually from tobacco-related diseases; yet, fewer than 8% of Chinese smokers ever receive any smoking cessation support. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to test the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility for a mobile social network (WeChat)–based smoking cessation intervention (SCAMPI program) among Chinese male smokers. METHODS Chinese male smokers aged 25-44 years were recruited online from WeChat, the most widely used social media platform in China. Individuals using other smoking cessation interventions or who lacked capacity to provide online informed consent were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to intervention or control groups. Neither participants nor researchers were masked to assignment. The trial was fully online. All data were collected via WeChat. The intervention group received access to the full-version SCAMPI program, a Chinese-language smoking cessation program based on the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and relevant cessation guidelines. Specific intervention functions used in the program include: planning to help users make quitting plans, calculator to record quitting benefits, calendar to record progress, gamification to facilitate quitting, information about smoking harms, motivational messages to help users overcome urges, standardized tests for users to assess their levels of nicotine dependence and lung health, as well as a social platform to encourage social support between users. The control group had access to a static WeChat page of contacts for standard smoking cessation care. Both groups received incentive credit payments for participating. The primary outcome was 30-day biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks after randomization, with missing data treated as not quitting. Secondary outcomes were other smoking status measures, reduction of cigarette consumption, study feasibility (recruitment and retention rate), and acceptability of and satisfaction with the program. RESULTS The program recorded 5736 visitors over a 13-day recruitment period. We recruited 80 participants who were randomly allocated to two arms (n=40 per arm). At 6 weeks, 36 of 40 (90%) intervention participants and 35 of 40 (88%) control participants provided complete self-reported data on their daily smoking status via WeChat. Biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks was determined for 10 of 40 (25%) intervention participants and 2 of 40 (5%) control participants (RR=5, 95% CI 1.2-21.4, <i>P</i>=.03). In the intervention group, the calculator function, motivational messages, and health tests were underused (less than once per week per users). Participants rated their satisfaction with the intervention program as 4.56 out of 5.00. CONCLUSIONS Our program is a novel, accessible, and acceptable smoking cessation intervention for Chinese male smokers. A future trial with a greater sample size and longer follow-up will identify if it is as effective as these preliminary data suggest. CLINICALTRIAL ANZCTR registry, ACTRN12618001089224; https://tinyurl.com/y536n7sx INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-18071

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Multimodal Smoking Cessation in a Real-Life Setting: Combining Motivational Interviewing With Official Therapy and Reduced Risk Products

Tobacco Use Insights ◽

10.1177/1179173x19878435 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 1179173X1987843 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pasquale Caponnetto ◽

Jennifer DiPiazza ◽

Giorgio Carlo Cappello ◽

Shirin Demma ◽

Marilena Maglia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Motivational Interviewing ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Real Life ◽

Electronic Cigarette ◽

Smoking Abstinence ◽

Daily Consumption ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Real Life Setting

Background: Tobacco use is a global pandemic, affecting an estimated 1.2 billion people and resulting in substantial health burdens and associated costs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of several treatments for smoking cessation in a real-life setting and to evaluate predictors of smoking abstinence. Methods: This research was designed with a sample of 593 cases recorded over the period between 2015 and 2016. Six treatment groups were included: (1) bupropion and motivational interviewing (MI); (2) bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and MI; (3) NRT and MI; (4) varenicline and MI; (5) personal vaporizer electronic cigarette and MI; and (6) electronic cigarette, cigarette like “cigalike,” and MI. Results: Results support the efficacy of all treatment groups when used in a real-life setting. The predictors of smoking abstinence were sex, partner smoking status, previous quit attempts, daily consumption, self-efficacy, and level of nicotine dependence. Conclusions: The use of different therapeutic strategies in clinical practice, including pharmacotherapy and nonstandard electronic nicotine delivery systems, such as an electronic cigarette, ensures a greater chance of cessation success and the possibility of tailoring interventions according to patients’ resources.

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Mobile, Remote, and Individual Focused: Comparing Breath Carbon Monoxide Readings and Abstinence Between Smartphone-Enabled and Stand-Alone Monitors

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntaa203 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Breanna M Tuck ◽

Joshua L Karelitz ◽

Rachel L Tomko ◽

Jennifer Dahne ◽

Patrick Cato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Gold Standard ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Smoking Abstinence ◽

Altman Analysis ◽

Operating Characteristics ◽

Bland Altman Analysis ◽

Urine Cotinine ◽

Study Inclusion

Abstract Introduction Newly available, smartphone-enabled carbon monoxide (CO) monitors are lower in cost than traditional stand-alone monitors and represent a marked advancement for smoking research. New products are promising, but data are needed to compare breath CO readings between smartphone-enabled and stand-alone monitors. The purpose of this study was to (1) determine the agreement between the mobile iCO (Bedfont Scientific Ltd) with two other monitors from the same manufacturer (Micro+ pro and Micro+ basic) and (2) determine optimal, monitor-specific, cotinine-confirmed abstinence cutoff values. Methods Adult (≥18) smokers (n = 26) and nonsmokers (n = 21) provided three breath CO samples (using three different monitors) in each of 10 sessions, and urine cotinine was measured for gold standard determination of abstinence. CO comparisons (N = 437) were analyzed using regression-based Bland–Altman Analysis of Agreement; receiver operating characteristics curves were used to determine optimal abstinence cutoffs. Results Bland–Altman analyses indicated that the iCO monitor provided higher CO results than both Micro+ monitors. Sensitivity and specificity analyses showed that the optimal CO cutoff for determining abstinence was <3 ppm for the Micro+ pro (88% sensitivity, 93% specificity) and Micro+ basic (83% sensitivity, 98% specificity), but was higher for the iCO (<6 ppm; 73% sensitivity, 100% specificity). Conclusions Relative to both Micro+ monitors, the smartphone-enabled iCO provided systematically higher CO values and required a higher cutoff to reliably determine smoking abstinence. This does not indicate that CO values obtained using the iCO are not valid; instead, these results suggest that monitor-specific abstinence cutoffs are needed to ensure accurate bioverification of smoking status. Implications Results from this study indicate that CO values from the smartphone-enabled iCO should not be used interchangeably with the stand-alone Micro+ pro and Micro+ basic, particularly when lower CO values (<10 ppm) are critical (ie, determination of abstinence vs confirming smoking status for study inclusion). Optimal CO cutoffs recommended for determining abstinence on Micro+ and iCO monitors are at <3 and <6 ppm, respectively.

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Psychological Factors and Long-Term Abstinence After Smoking Cessation Treatment

The Journal of Smoking Cessation ◽

10.1375/jsc.4.1.10 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 10-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hedwig Boudrez

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Postal Survey ◽

University Hospital ◽

Smoking Abstinence ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Smoking Cessation Treatment ◽

Cessation Treatment

AbstractThis study evaluated the association between psychological variables, measured by questionnaire at the start of a smoking cessation treatment, and smoking abstinence, 8 years after treatment. A total of 124 patients presenting at the stop-smoking clinic of the University Hospital in Ghent, Belgium, were included. Besides the Reasons for Smoking Scale (RSS), Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and smoking status, a psychological questionnaire (NEO PI-R) was presented at baseline. A postal survey after 8 years was executed in order to assess smoking status and smoke-free survival. In 2008, 103/124 answered the postal survey. 66/103 (64.1%) had relapsed. More men then women were smoke-free (46.2% vs. 18.4%; p = .004). Several associations between psychological baseline characteristics and smoking status at follow-up were detected: lower abstinence at follow-up was associated with lower self-discipline (p = .001), lower goal-directedness (p = .03), higher score on symptoms of depression (p = .03), higher anxiety score (p = .01), higher score on the variable shame (p = .02). Some of these associations are confirmed by Kaplan-Meier survival scores that show borderline significance in case of depression (p = .06), statistically significance in case of self-discipline (p = .05) and shame (p = .05) and clear statistical significance in case of anxiety (p = .007). An association between psychological variables at the start of a smoking cessation treatment and smoking abstinence, even after 8 years, can be accepted.

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Validation of Non-Smoking Status by Spouse Following a Cessation Intervention

The Journal of Smoking Cessation ◽

10.1017/jsc.2015.11 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 38-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Raul M. Mejia ◽

Sandra Braun ◽

Lorena Peña ◽

Steven E. Gregorich ◽

Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable

Keyword(s):

Gold Standard ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Medical Advice ◽

Self Report ◽

Smoking Abstinence ◽

Community Studies ◽

Cessation Intervention ◽

Quit Attempts ◽

The Mean ◽

Reported Data

Background: Following cessation interventions, self-reported smoking abstinence with biochemical verification is the “gold standard” for defining outcomes. Because obtaining biochemical verification is challenging in community studies, we compared self-reported cessation among smokers completing treatment to the smoking status reported by each participant's spouse or proxy.Method: Participants were smokers who had reported quitting 12 months after a cessation intervention. Participants had either attended a smoking cessation clinic or they were patients seen by physicians who had recently participated in a cessation-training program. Proxies living with these participants were interviewed by telephone to ask about their partner's smoking status. We compared the participants' responses to those from their spouses.Results: At 12 months, 346 of 1423 baseline smokers had quit; 161/346 reported non-smokers were called and 140 proxies were interviewed. The participants averaged 51 years of age, 69% were women. At baseline, the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day was 20.1 (SD = 9.9) and the average number of quit attempts was 2.4 (SD = 1.2). Cessation methods used were medical advice (21%) and/or pharmacotherapy (79%). Of the 140 spouses interviewed, only 10 (7.1%) reported that their partners were currently smoking.Conclusions: Proxy-reported data on smoking status could be used to validate self-report.

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Nicotine Replacement Therapy Use Predicts Smoking and Drinking Outcomes among Heavy-Drinking Smokers Calling a Tobacco Quitline

The Journal of Smoking Cessation ◽

10.1017/jsc.2016.12 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 99-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alana M. Rojewski ◽

Lisa M. Fucito ◽

Stephen Baldassarri ◽

Andrew Hyland ◽

K. Michael Cummings ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Replacement Therapy ◽

Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Randomised Trial ◽

Heavy Drinking ◽

Self Report ◽

Smoking Abstinence ◽

Nicotine Replacement ◽

Drinking Outcomes

Introduction: Suboptimal use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) may pose a significant barrier to smokers attempting to quit. We examined NRT use as a predictor of smoking abstinence and heavy drinking in a randomised trial of hazardous drinkers who contacted the NY State Smokers’ quitline for smoking cessation assistance.Methods: Participants (N = 1,948) received either Tobacco Only Counselling or Alcohol + Tobacco Counselling (ATC), both in addition to a 2-week supply of NRT. NRT use, smoking status, and heavy drinking days were assessed by self-report at the 7-month follow-up.Results: Of those smokers who completed the 7-month follow-up (N = 843), 53.1% used all of the NRT and 40.6% used some. Those who used all of the NRT were more likely to be abstinent from smoking than those who used some, and more likely to report no heavy drinking days than those who used some or none.Conclusions: Approximately half of the heavy drinking smokers calling the quitline are willing to use the 2-week supply of free NRT, and most will at least try it. Those who reported using all of the NRT were more likely to report smoking abstinence and no heavy drinking days at the 7-month follow-up.

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Striae Gravidarum, Vitamin C and Other Related Factors

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000049 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 81 (1) ◽

pp. 43-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rahime Bedir Findik ◽

Nurcihan Karakurt Hascelik ◽

Kadir Okhan Akin ◽

Ayse Nurcan Unluer ◽

Jale Karakaya

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Vitamin C ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Blood Levels ◽

Significant Relation ◽

Related Factors ◽

Thigh Circumference ◽

Striae Gravidarum

Background: Striae gravidarum, a clinical condition commonly seen in pregnant women, produces serious cosmetic problems and may lead to psychological problems. Aim: The present study investigated whether there was any relation between the presence of striae in primigravid pregnant women and blood vitamin C levels, and factors thought to contribute to the formation of striae such as family history, weight gained during pregnancy, smoking status, abdominal and thigh circumference, and age. Methods: Overall, 69 primigravid women attending routine antenatal follow-up and, using prophylactic iron and vitamin preparations, underwent investigation. All were pregnant 36 or more weeks. Scoring was based on striae examination and whether striae were present. The relation between the presence of striae, vitamin C blood levels, and other factors was investigated. Results and Conclusions: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant relation between the presence of striae and blood vitamin C levels (p = 0.046) and between the presence of striae and family history (p = 0.023). No significant relation was found between the presence of striae and age, weight gained during pregnancy, abdominal and thigh circumference, or smoking status. It was concluded that further, more comprehensive studies on the issue are required.

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